Updated November 25, 2022
Background
This database details those Free Blacks named Gilliam enumerated in the 1860 United States Federal Census, the Eighth Census of the United States.
Enumerators of the 1860 census were instructed to record the names of every person in the household. Added to this, enumerators were presented with printed instructions, which account for the greater degree of accuracy compared with earlier censuses. Enumerators were asked to include the following categories in the census: name; age as of the census day; sex; color; birthplace; occupation of persons over age fifteen; value of real estate; whether married within the previous year; whether deaf, dumb, blind, insane, a pauper, or a convict; whether able to read or speak English; and whether the person attended school within the previous year. No relationships were shown between members of a household. The categories allowed Congress to determine persons residing in the United States for collection of taxes and the appropriation of seats in the House of Representatives.
Overview
In 1860 there were 31 Free Blacks and Mulattoes enumerated in the Federal Census. This figure is down about 25% from 1850, possibly due to the seeking better fortunes outside Virginia. Of these only 10 were listed as Black; the remaining 21 were listed as Mulatto. The oldest was Aggy Gilliam of the South Ward of Petersburg, age 87. It does not appear that Aggy was enumerated in the 1850 Federal Census.
| Name | County | Age | Birth Year | Gender | Status |
| James Gellin | Meherrin, Brunswick | 52 | 1808 | Male | Black |
| George Gilliam | James City | 6 | abt 1854 | Male | Black |
| Harichy Gilliam | James City | 35 | abt 1825 | Male | Black |
| Jana Gilliam | James City | 3 | abt 1857 | Female | Black |
| Priscilla Gilliam | James City | 25 | abt 1835 | Female | Black |
| Asbury Gilliam | East Ward, Petersburg | 50 | abt 1810 | Male | Black |
| Elizabeth Gilliam | East Ward, Petersburg | 39 | abt 1821 | Female | Mulatto |
| Aggy Gilliam | South Ward, Petersburg | 87 | abt 1773 | Female | Black |
| Ann Gilliam | West Ward, Petersburg | 40 | abt 1820 | Female | Mulatto |
| Glidewell Gilliam | West Ward, Petersburg | 16 | abt 1844 | Male | Mulatto |
| John Gilliam | West Ward, Petersburg | 20 | abt 1840 | Male | Mulatto |
| Martha Gilliam | West Ward, Petersburg | 36 | abt 1824 | Female | Black |
| Virginia A Gilliam | West Ward, Petersburg | 18 | abt 1842 | Female | Mulatto |
| Wm H Gilliam | West Ward, Petersburg | 24 | abt 1836 | Male | Mulatto |
| Chas Gilliam | Prince George | 54 | abt 1806 | Male | Mulatto |
| Elizth Gilliam | Prince George | 2 | abt 1858 | Female | Mulatto |
| F Gilliam | Prince George | 20 | abt 1840 | Female | Mulatto |
| Henry Gilliam | Prince George | 22 | abt 1838 | Male | Mulatto |
| Judy Gilliam | Prince George | 70 | abt 1790 | Female | Black |
| M Gilliam | Prince George | 25 | abt 1835 | Female | Mulatto |
| Maria Gilliam | Prince George | 63 | abt 1797 | Female | Mulatto |
| Maria Gilliam | Prince George | 16 | abt 1844 | Female | Mulatto |
| Mary Gilliam | Prince George | 15 | abt 1845 | Female | Mulatto |
| P Gilliam | Prince George | 48 | abt 1812 | Female | Black |
| P Gilliam | Prince George | 29 | abt 1831 | Female | Mulatto |
| R Gilliam | Prince George | 11 | abt 1849 | Male | Mulatto |
| R M Gilliam | Prince George | 49 | abt 1811 | Male | Mulatto |
| S Gilliam | Prince George | 18 | abt 1842 | Female | Mulatto |
| William Gilliam | Prince George | 19 | abt 1841 | Male | Mulatto |
| Wills Gilliam | Prince George | 5 | abt 1855 | Male | Mulatto |
| Armstead Gilham | Cross Road, Shenandoah | 29 | abt 1831 | Female | Mulatto |
Sources
- Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls.