Updated November 25, 2022
Background
The earliest grants in Tennessee are those by the Watauga Society for land in Northeast Tennessee. When the Watauga Society failed as an independent government, North Carolina assumed control of vacant land in Tennessee. The first North Carolina land office was opened in 1778 in Washington County. Later, offices were also opened in Sullivan and Greene Counties. A separate land office was opened in 1783 primarily for land outside of these three counties. Also in 1783, the military district was created. There was an office for people who lived in this area before the military district was created (preemption rights) and a separate office (opened in 1784) for military bounty grants.
Overview
Devereaux GILLIAM, the son of William GILLIAM and Mary Jarratt, was born about 1746. He is named after his grandfather Devereaux Jarratt. He married Edith Ellis, daughter of Charles Ellis and Susannah Harding, of "Red Hill," in present-day Amherst County, VA.
They were early settlers of Knox County, TN where they established "GILLIAM's Station."
Devereaux's Will is dated 2 May 1809.
Though Devereaux was a native Virginian, he served in the Revolution from North Carolina. As a result he received several land grants.
1783, 640 acres on south-side of French Broad River, Greene County, TN
1783, 640 acres on the Southside of Holston River, Hawkins County, TN
1783, 640 acres above the road between Browns Creek and Spring Creek, Hawkins County, TN
1791, 640 acres on south-side of Holston River, Hawkins County, TN
Land Warrants Issued to Devereaux GILLIAM
Warrant 499, Joseph Copeland
Years: 1783
Personal Names: Joseph Copeland, Devereux Gillam, Stephen Copeland
Note: Warrant originally issued to Devereux Gillam.
Acres: 640
Issued:
Entered: Oct. 27, 1783
Location: Southside of French Broad River, Greene County, TN
Warrant 894, Devereux Guillem
Years: 1783, 1791
Personal Names: Devereux Guillem:
Acres: 640
Issued: Dec. 26, 1791
Entered: Oct. 29, 1783
Location: On the Southside of Holston River, Hawkins County, TN
Warrant 911, Robert King and Nathaniel Henderson
Years: 1783, 1795
Personal Names: Robert King, Nathaniel Henderson, William Cloud, Isaac Cloud, Devereux Gillam, George Brooks, Annanias McCoy
Note: Warrant originally issued to William Cloud, Isaac Cloud, Devereux Gillam, George Brooks.
Acres: 640
Issued: Aug. 27, 1795
Entered: Oct. 29, 1783
Book, Page: 89:415
Location: On Northside of Clinch River, Hawkins County, TN
Warrant 895, Nicholas Perkins
Years: 1791
Personal Names: Nicholas Perkins, Divereux Gillum
Note: Warrant originally issued to Divereux Gillum.
Acres: 640
Issued: Dec. 26, 1791
Entered:
Book, Page: 75:171
Location: On south-side of Holson River, Hawkins County, TN
Warrant 893, William Murfey
Years: 1783, 1791
Personal Names: William Murfey, Devereaux Gillam
Note: Warrant originally issued to Devereaux Gillam.
Acres: 200
Issued: Dec. 26, 1791
Entered: Oct. 29, 1783
Book, Page: 77:323
Location: On Above the road between Browns Creek and Spring Creek, Hawkins County, TN
[Likely a near relative of John Murphy who married Martha "Patsy" GILLIAM, and Alexander Murphy who married Delilah GILLIAM, the daughters of Thomas GILLIAM and Winnifred George. Thomas was the brother of Devereaux GILLIAM.]
Sources
- North Carolina State Archives: MARS Catalog. http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/archives/