Updated November 25, 2022
The Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company was incorporated by an act of Congress approved March 3, 1865 (13 Stat. 510), as a banking institution established in the city of Washington, District of Columbia, for the benefit of freed slaves. The military savings banks at Norfolk, Va., and Beaufort, S.C., were transferred to the Company soon after if was founded. From 1865 through 1870 a total of 33 branches were established, including an office that was opened in New York, N.Y., in 1866.
In 1874 the Company failed and by the terms of an act of Congress approved June 20, 1874 (18 Stat. 132), the trustees were authorized to select, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, three commissioners to take charge of the effects of the Company and to report on its financial state to the Secretary of the Treasury. The arrangement was altered by an act of Congress approved February 21,1881 (21 Stat. 327), whereby the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized and directed to appoint the Comptroller of the Currency to administer the affairs of the Company. The Comptroller was made commissioner ex officio and he submitted annual reports to Congress. The final report on the trust company was submitted in 1920.
The information contained in many of the registers is as follows: account number, name of depositor, date of entry, place born, place brought up, residence, age, complexion, name of employer or occupation, wife or husband, children, father, mother, brothers and sisters, remarks, and signature. The early books sometimes also contain the name of the former master or mistress and the name of the plantation. In many entries not all the requested data are given. Many numbers are missing, a few are out of numerical order, and in some cases blocks of numbers were not used. Many registers seem to be missing as in the case of Waverly Gillum. His applications says see Application #1615, but Norfolk, only Applications Numbered 3950-5424 are known to exist.
Deposits made in Richmond, VA
Applicant: LOUISA A GILLAM
Spouse:
Parents:
Siblings:
Children:
Application Date: 1871-04-11
Age: 21
Height and Complexion: Dark Brown
Birth Date:
Birth Place:
Death Date:
Death Place:
Plantation:
Master:
Mistress:
Place Raised:
Current Residence: Corner 9 & Marshall
Military Info:
Works For: Mr. Wise
Occupation:
Remarks: Deposited by C.H. Forrest.
In 1870 Louisa Gillim is living in First Revenue Division, Chesterfield, Virginia. She is listed as age 20. She is living with Henry Gillim, age 50, Caroline, age 40, Lucy, age 22, Matilda, age 15, John H, age 10, Susan, age 6 and Dicey age 4. Everyone in the household is listed as Mulatto, except, Caroline. She is listed as Black. It should be noted that one household away is a John W. Gillim, age 26 and Joseph Gillim, age 32. Both as listed as White. John’s real estate is worth $20,000 and personal property $25,000.
In 1880 Louisa’s family is found in the Clover Hill, Chesterfield County, VA. Henry is now listed as age 66, Matilda is age 24, John H. is age 20, Susan is age 17, Dysee is age 14. Also living with them are grandchild Joe P., age 7, Charliette, age 4 and Henry C., age 1. It appears Henry’s wife Caroline has died and that he has remarried a Sallie, age 53. Louisa is not listed and has not been located in the 1880 Census. Did she die? Are Joe, Charliette and Henry her children?
Deposits made in Richmond, VA
Applicant: JOSEPH GILLIAM
Spouse: ELLEN GILLIAM
Parents:
Siblings: FOUNTAIN GILLIAM, MAHALA LEWIS
Children: RACHEL
Application Date: 1870-06-27
Age: ABT 29
Height and Complexion: Black
Birth Date:
Birth Place: Louisa, VA
Death Date:
Death Place:
Plantation:
Master:
Mistress:
Place Raised: Louisa CO, VA
Current Residence: Michaux Ferry, Powhatan CO, VA
Military Info:
Works For: No person in Particular
Occupation: Farmer
Remarks: Signed his Name, Both FATHER & MOTHER: Dead
At the time of the 1870 Census Joseph and Fountain Gilliam were living in the Jefferson Ward, of Richmond, Virginia with James and Georgiana Cousins. Joseph, a tobacco factory hand, was age 27 and Fountain, a carpenter, was age 23. Ellen is living under the name Ellen Woodson in the Spencer District of Powhatan with Stephen and Easter Woodson, ages 55 and 46 respectively. Stephen and Easter appear to be Ellen’s parents since Joseph’s are listed as being deceased. Also living with Ellen is Mahala, age 22, undoubtedly Mahala Lewis and Joseph’s daughter, Rachael Gilliam, age 2. Since Joseph states he was born in Louisa, it is unlikely that this family is associated with the family of Catherine E. Gilliam also living in the Spencer District of Powhatan at this time.
In 1880 Fountain with wife Catherine may be found in Pyeatt, Pulaski County, Arkansas. It is not known what became of Joseph and Ellen and their daughter Rachel.
Deposits made in Richmond, VA
Applicant: EDWARD GILLIAN
Spouse:
Parents:
Siblings: HENRY, GEORGE, BETTY, LUCY
Children:
Application Date: 1872-08-17
Age: 17
Height and Complexion: Brown
Birth Date:
Birth Place: NC
Death Date:
Death Place:
Plantation:
Master:
Mistress:
Place Raised:
Current Residence: Franklin and 13th
Military Info:
Works For: Granite Works
Occupation:
Remarks: Both parents dead
Edward has not been located in the 1870 nor 1880 census.
Deposits made in Norfolk, VA
Applicant: WAVERLY GILLUM
Spouse:
Parents:
Siblings:
Children:
Application Date: 1871-12-07
Age:
Height and Complexion:
Birth Date:
Birth Place:
Death Date:
Death Place:
Plantation:
Master:
Mistress:
Place Raised:
Current Residence:
Military Info:
Works For:
Occupation:
Remarks: See # 1615
It appears that Application #1615 has been lost. The Applications at Norfolk begin with numbers 3950. In 1870 Waverly, age 35 was living in the First Ward of Petersburg and working as a laborer. Also living in his household are Kate, age 38 and another Kate age 4. Also Ella Poplar? age 20, Turner Mack, age 12 and Lucinda Gilliam, age 58, a washer. A few households earlier are Anthony Gilliam, age 65, a laborer. In his household is an Esther Gilliam, age 45 and another Esther, age 19 and another Anthony age 15. Esther, age 45 is listed as a doctress.
In 1880 Waverly and wife Kate are found in Boston, MA. Still living with them Lucinda; however she is listed as Lucinda Taylor, age 68, mother. Waverly is listed as working in the B & A R.R. The Boston and Albany Railroad was formed in 1870 by bringing the following railroads together: The Boston and Worcester Railroad (chartered in 1831), the Western Railroad (chartered in 1833), the Albany and West Stockbridge Railroad (chartered in 1836), and the Hudson and Boston Railroad. As the name implies, the Boston & Albany Railroad (B&A) connected Boston, MA to Albany, NY. The B&A was consolidated with the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad in 1900.
Sources
- Heritage Quest Online. The Freedman's Savings and Trust.