Updated December 25, 2023
Background
Augusta County was named in honor of Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, wife of Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, and mother of George III. It was formed from Orange County in 1738, but county government was not established there until 1745. Its area is 968 square miles, and the county seat is Staunton.
Parishes
Augusta Parish, 1738
Overview
GILHAMs appear in Augusta by the mid 1740's. Tradition has it that a Thomas GILHAM of Ulster, Ireland came to America in 1730. (It is likely that he came from Pennsylvania for the spelling GILHAM is used by GILLIAMs of Pennsylvania and he travels with families to South Carolina and later Illinois that did migrate from Pennsylvania. He and his children settled along the Calf Pasture and owned lots in Staunton. Thomas was a Captain of Foot and later Lieutenant. Thomas and his family may be found in Rockbridge County after it split from Augusta. It appears this family then migrated south around 1780. This Thomas is said to have died about 1785 in Union County, SC.
There is no known connection of the GILHAMs of Augusta to other "GILLIAMs" of Virginia. They have been included since they had associations with families that are known to have associations with GILLIAMs such as the Adams and Carlisles. Thomas GILHAM sells land to John Carlisle who in turn sells the the same tract to Thomas Adams. Thomas Adams is referred to as "of New Kent" in the deed. The name Thomas is used by the family of William and Mary Jarratt GILLIAM as well as the GILLIAMs of Albemarle Parish.
Also in Augusta is a family name Gilliland. This is likely NOT a corruption of GILLIAM, but have been included for clarity sake.
Chancery
Court case of Stealey vs. Waggoner
In 1772 John Gillhan made a settlement in now County of Wythe and sold to Henry Waggoner, who on 6th February, 1775, obtained a survey under the Loyal Company for 476 acres and then . . .
page 158
[Possibly "GILHAM."]
Cohabitation Register
28 Feb 1866
Augusta County Register of Colored Persons cohabiting together as Husband and Wife, 1866 Feb. 28
| Page | 22 |
| Line | 24 |
| Husband's name and age | Bartlett Gilum, 34 |
| Husband's birthplace | Albemarle |
| Husband's Residence | Staunton |
| Occupation | Mason |
| Last Owner | |
| Last Owner's Residence | |
| Wife's name and age | Caroline Perry, age 33 |
| Wife's birthplace | Shenandoah |
| Wife's residence | Staunton |
| Last Owner | |
| Last Owner's Residence | |
| Children and ages | George, Lucy, Jane, James |
| Date of Commencement of Cohabitation |
Library of Virginia. Cohabitation Registers
Court Orders
20 Nov 1747
John Bruce for forging hand of John Gillison
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
20 Aug 1752
Patrick Martin and Alexr. Richey to be overseers of road from Young's Mill to Alexr. Richey's smith shop, thence to Buchanan's mills, with these hands: Nathan Gilliland, . . .
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
20 Aug 1752
Thomas GILHAM, qualified Captain of Foot
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
22 Nov 1764
Nathan Gilland and 332 1/2 acres, added to tithables.
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
15 Apr 1765
Nathan Gilliland, carriage of "flower."
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
18 May 1773
Nathan Gilliland is about to remove out of County
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
9 Nov 1779
Called Court on Ann Corbett, charged with larceny from William GILHAM, 15 lashes.
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
April 1779
Peter GILHAM, recommended Lieutenant . . .
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
18 Jul 1782
Elizabeth GILHAM, wife of William GILHAM, relinquished dower in a house and lot in Staunton purchased by Enos Atwater
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
17 Aug 1784
John GILHAM is appointed guardian of James Wright
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
1753-1754
Inhabitants of Calf Pasture petition for a mill on the place of Andrew Loughridge, who has lately settled there. Thomas GILHAM, . . . et al
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
1756-1766
Nathan Gilliland deposes, 22d August, 1765, that John Graham, in the Calfpasture, hired an orphan boy named Thomas May, eight years, again.
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
1779, April
Peter GILHAM, recommended Lieutenant . . .
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
Bundle of old papers unmarked, County Court.
Sarah, wife of Ezekiel GILLIAM, . . .
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
17 Aug 1784
John GILHAM, guardian for James Wright, orphan of Joseph Wright.
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
April, 1796
Richard Mathews vs. John McDougal
Depositions William Hogshead and John Gardner at house of William GILHAM, in Staunton, 21st April, 1789. . .
Augusta County, VA, Court Orders ___, page ___
Deeds
21 Nov 1746
Thomas GILLHAM, witness to deed of James Carter to Robert Gay.
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
27 Aug 1751
Thomas GILLHAM, witness to deed of Jacob Clemence [Clements] and Mary, to John Campbell.
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
Abt 28 Nov 1751
John Lynn, Jr., and Jean, to Nathan Gilliland, 383 1/2 acres. In Beverley Manor
[no date on this entry, but previous entry had date of 28 Nov 1751, as did next entry, also in Beverly Manor]
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
20 Aug 1752
Thomas GILHAM and Margaret to James Lockridge, 168 acres in Great Calfpasture; corner Wm. Jameson; Mill Creek.
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
29 Aug 1760
James ( ) Hall and Susanna ( ) to Robert Hall, . . . cor. to tract formerly in possession of Michael Rainey, but now Charles Gillum.
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
14 Feb 1763
Thomas GILHAM, witness to deed of Mary Preston to Robert Lockridge.
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
19th Apr 1763
Charles GILLHAM and Elisabeth ( ) to James Bodkin, £41, 216 acres on the Cowpasture; corner tract formerly in possession of James Hall, now Robt. Hall.
Teste: George Skillem, Ezekiel GILLHAM, John Carlile.
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
25 Aug 1764
Thomas GILLHAM and Margaret to John Corolile [Carlisle], £45, 200 acres in Calfpasture bounded by lands now in possession of Robert Gay's orphants [sic], and Samuel Campbell's lands and William Wills' lands.
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
22 Aug 22 1766
John Carlile and Mary to Thomas Adams, of the County of New Kent, £117.10, on both sides of Great River of Calfpasture, 200 acres, purchased by John of ____ GILLIAM.
Delivered: Sampson Mathews, 19th March, 1772.
County, VA, Augusta Deed Book 13, p. 54,
Chalkley, Vol. 3, p. 444
[Note p. 489 (Deed Bk 15, p. 531) states it was Thomas GILHAM]
[Thomas Adams was of New Kent as were numerous early GILLIAMs]
10 Mar 1767
Nathan ( ) Gillilan, witness to deed of David Miller and Hannah, to Israel Christian
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
16 May 1767
Nathan ( ) Gillilen, witness to deed of William Carvin to Edward Carvin.
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
6 Aug 1766
James Crocket and Martha of Augusta County, and Robert Crocket and Jennet, of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, to William Thompson, . . . corner Thomas GILLAM's land, crossing Mill Creek; . . .
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
8 Apr 1769
Samuel Campble [Campbell] and Ellenor, to William Lockridge, £114, 208 acres on Great River of Calfpasture, part of . . . 100 acres being conveyed to Thomas GILHAM and since conveyed to Thomas Adams, . . .
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
17 Nov 1770
George Adam ( ) Bright and Mary ( ) to James and Samuel Gilliland, of County of York, £80, 170 acres in Beverley Manor at head of a branch of South River, David Hays line.
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
22 May 1782
Enos Atwater and Annahellena to Moses Early, William Crawford, John Beach, one half acre in Staunton whereon Enos now lives, formerly occupied by Wm. GILLHAM and Thomas Smith, fronting the house
and lot of the late Rodgher North, deceased, conveyed to Enos by GILHAM.
Augusta County, VA, Deed Book ___, page ___
Directories
Thomson's Mercantile and Professional Directory, 1851
Physicians: P. G. Gillum, Staunton
Thomson's Mercantile and Professional Directory, 1851
Parish Records
1756: Processioned in Capt. Israel Christian's Company by John Henderson and Wm. Baskins, viz: . . . for Nathan Gililand, . . .
Augusta Parish Vestry Book, page 444
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
1760: Processioned by Jones Henderson, viz: . . . for Nathan Gilliland,
Augusta Parish Vestry Book, page 463
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
Patents, Grants and Headrights
1744
A plan of 16,500 acres of land lying on the Great or West River of the Calf Pasture shows lands of Alexander Dunlap, William Jameson, Thomas GILHAM, Robert Crockett, David Davis, Thomas Weems, Henry Gay, Francis Donnally, Robert Gay, Samuel Hodge, John Miller, Robert Bratton, James Lockridge, John Graham, Robert Gwin, John Preston, William Warwick, James Carlile, Jacob Clements, John Campbell, and James Carter. A. D. 1p.
The Preston and Virginia Papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts. Madison: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1915, 365 pgs.
26 Sep 1760
Charles GILLHAM, 216 acs. Augusta Co. on the Cow Pasture Riv., b a run, to a tract in possession of James Hall on the side of a Mountain, for the considerations mentioned in an order of our Trusty and Welbeloved [sic] William Gooch Esq. Late our Lieutenant Governor and commander in chief of our colony and Dominion of Virginia in our council of the sd colony Granted to John Robinson, Esq., James Wood, Henry Robinson, and John Lewis the 29th Day of Oct. 1743.
Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume VI, page 391
Receipts
5 Oct 1757
GILHAM, Charles. Receipt to William Preston for 19s. 6d. in payment for labor at Fort Lewis. D. S. 1p.
[Fort Lewis was a small stockade known first as Wilson's Fort. It was garrisoned the fall of 1756 by a force under the command of Lt. Charles Lewis, he was the younger brother of Andrew Lewis the famous Indian fighter. The "father" of Bath County was their father, John Lewis, who first settled with his wife, Margaret Lynn, northwest of Staunton, Virginia, in 1732 at Fort Lewis. By 1740 John had purchased land on the Cowpasture River which he gave by deed to Charles, who settled at Fort Lewis in 1761 with his new bride, Sarah Murray. Charles later died at the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774. Fort Lewis is 11 miles North of Warm Springs on Rte. 220.]
5 Oct 1757
GILHAM, Charles. Receipt to William Preston, for £2 8s. for forty-eight days' service as a soldier at Fort Lewis. D. S. 1p.
5 Oct 1757
GILHAM, Charles, Receipt to William Preston for £3. 13s for seventy-three days' service as a soldier prior to May 1, 1757. Witnessed by Thomas Lloyd. D. S. 1p.
1757
GILHAM, Charles. Receipt to William Preston for £5 16s. for 116 days' service as a soldier in his company between June 8 and Nov. 29, 1757, D. S. 1p.
1757
GILHAM, Thomas. Receipt to William Preston for £8 8s 3d for labor for his company. D. S. 1p.
4 Mar 1758
GILHAM, Thomas. Receipt to William Preston for £4 14s. 9 1/2d for provisions for his company. D. S. 1p.
1758
GILHAM, Thomas. Receipt to William Preston for £4 14s 9d for provisions for his company in 1757. D. S. 1p.
14 Jul 1759
Clendennin, Charles. Receipt to William Preston for £3 5s in full of James Clendennin's pay.
Wit: by Thomas GILHAM. (his X mark). 1p.
The Preston and Virginia Papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts. Madison: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1915, 365 pgs.
Revolutionary War Public Service Claims
William GILLIAM (Gilham), (Appraised beef) Certificates, Crawford, James
Library of Virginia, Revolutionary War Public Service Claims
Road Orders
17 June 1752 O. S
Ordered that Samuel Fincher and Thomas GILHAM be Overseers and with the Adjacent Tithables Clear and keep the road from Jenning's Gap to Charles Walkers in repair According to Law.
Pawlett, Nathaniel Mason. Augusta County Road Orders, 1745-1769. Virginia Transportation Research Council, Charlottesville, VA, June 1998, page 260.
19 March 1755 N. S
William Wilson and John McCleary having by Order of this Court Viewed & laid of a Road from Andrew Hamilton's to the turn of the Calf Pasture Waters by Charles Walkers It is Ordered that Andrew Hamilton be Surveyor thereof and that with James Campbell James Carlile, John Carlile, John Kingkade, Jacob Clements, Thomas GILHAM, Robert Gay, Thomas Fulton, Robert Lockridge, and William Hodge he Clear and keep the Same in repair According to Law.
Pawlett, Nathaniel Mason. Augusta County Road Orders, 1745-1769. Virginia Transportation Research Council, Charlottesville, VA, June 1998, page 378
1860 Slave Schedule
Mary L Gillum of Augusta, District 1, owner of 22 year old Black female
Ancestry.com. 1860 Slave Schedule
Taxes
Personal Property Taxes
Tax Delinquents
1750
Chas. GILHAM, not found; . . .
page 414
1767
Col. Preston's list: . . . Jas. Gilland, runaway; . . .
p.420
1784
Valentine White's List of Delinquents in Second Battalion of Augusta County, 1784:
John GILLAM, Carolina; . . .
p.424
Tithes
List of Tithables for the Town of Staunton to be collected at $4 each to be applied to the Repair of Streets, 1779-1780. Samuel Armstrong: . . . Wm. GILHAM. . .
page 481
Wills, Estates and Inventories
16 Nov 1746
Will of Robert Crockett
Dated November 16, 1746 was proved February 19, 1747
It names wife Margaret; sons John, Archibald, Samuel, Alexander, Robert (under age) and James (under age); daughter Jean Crockett.
Executors were wife Margaret and Robert Davis.
Witnesses were Thomas GILLHAM, James McCorkle and Robert Bratton.
Augusta County, VA, Will Book ___, p.6
20 Dec 1752
Will of William Jameson
Dated 20 Dec 1752, Probated 21 Mar 1753
In the Name of God Amen. The twentieth day of December anno one thousand seven hundred and fifty-two being sick in body but of good and perfect memory thanks be to the almighty God, and calling to remembrance the uncertain estate of this transitory life, and that all flesh must yield unto Death when it shall please God to call I do make and declare this My Last Will and Testament in manner and form following.
First being penitent and sorry for all my sins and most humbly desiring forgiveness for the same recommend my soul unto Almighty my saviour and redeemer in whom and by whose mercy I trust and believe will be saved to have full remission and forgivingness of all my sins and born into the Kingdom of Heaven and my body I commit to the earth to be deasently [sic] buried at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named and for the settling of my temporal estate and such goods chattels and debts as it has pleased God to bestow upon me. I do order give and dispose the same in manner and form following, that is to say I devise.
I give and bequeath here set down the first legacy. Item, to my dear and loving wife Sarah I give and bequeath to her her mair [sic] and saddle and bed. Item, to my eldest son John I give and bequeath a tract of land containing two hundred and thirty seven acres on Jackson's River and also my best suit of close (clothes). Item, and I also allow four hundred acres of land to be purchased of the estate for my sons George and Andrew. Item, the plantation I now live on I give and bequeath to my son William.
Item, I constitute and appoint my dear and loving wife to be whole and sole executor and manager of the whole affairs while she remains my widow, but if she marry She shall only have the above mentioned particulars.
William Jameson (seal)
Witness presents
Samuel Hoage
Thomas GILLHAM
At a court hereto for Augusta County the 21st day of March 1753 this Last Will and Testament of William Jameson being presented into court was proved by the oaths for Samuel Hoage and Thomas GILHAM the witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of Sarah Jamison the Executor therein named who made oath according to law certifying and is granted her for obtaining a probate there of in due form giving surety on which she this Sarah Jamison with David Dryden and Robert Armstrong her security entered into and acknowledged their bond according to law.
Augusta County, VA, Will Book 1, pages 472-4
1 Sep 1759
Will of Jacob Clemens
In the name of God Amen, I Jacob Clemens of the County of Augusta & Colony of Virginia considering the uncertainty of this mortal life & being of sound & perfect mind & memory blessed be Almighty God for the same but being now indisposed do make and publish this my last will & Testament in manner & form as follows. That is to say First of all I leave & bequeath unto my well & beloved wife her saddle mare and Furniture also her Bed & Furniture Also Twenty Pounds due by Felix Gilbert after paying what Debts are due by me out of it (if she does not marry) or else to Fall to the youngest Children, viz Ruth, Isabella Clements, like wise she is to have the Plantation during her widowhood. Also I leave and bequeath unto my Three Daughters Ann Barnet & Mary McNight & Rachel Barnet one shilling to each it is also my will that the above legacy be payed or tendered the day of my Burial. I also leave & bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Clemens the young Roan mare and Coalt [sic] & side saddle. I also leave and bequeath unto my Five Daughters viz: Margaret Clemens, Elizabeth Clemens, Rebeccah Clemens, Ruth Clemens & Isabel Clemens the remainder moveable Estate to be sold & equally divided betwixt my Five Daughters above mentioned and I do hereby appoint Thomas GILHAM and James Campbell my Sole Executrix and Executors of this my last Will & Testament. Hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. In Witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of September One Thousand seven hundred and fifty nine.
Signed Sealed and Delivered
Jacob (I) Clemons
in the presence of
Andrew Hamilton
Thomas Lloyd
Robert Lockridge
At a Court held for Augusta County Novem'r the 21st day 1759 This last Will & Testament of Jacob Clemens dec'd was proved by Robt Lockridge & Andrew Hamilton two of the witnesses thereto & admitted to record & on the motion of Thomas GILHAM & James Campbell Executors who made oath according to law Certificate is granted for obtaining a probate in due form they having with Andrew Hamilton & Robert Lockridge their securities entered into & acknowledged their Bond.
Augusta County, VA, Will Book ___, pages 337
[Thomas Gilham named a son Jacob Clemons Gilham. This Jacob is said to have married Ann Barnett, generally given as the daughter of Samuel Barnett]
Abstract of Will of Jacob Clements
Wife; youngest children, Ruth, Isabella Clements; three daughters, Ann Burnet, Mary McKnight, Rachel Barnet; daughter, Sarah Clements; five daughters, Margaret, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Ruth, Isabel Clements. Executors, Thos. GILLHAM, James Campbell.
Teste: Andrew Hamilton, Robert Lockridge, Thomas Lloyd.
Proved, 21st November, 1759, by Lockridge and Hamilton.
Executors qualify, with Andrew Hamilton and Robert Lockridge.
Augusta County, VA, Will Book ___, pages 337
5 Oct 1754
Will of William Campbell
To sons James and John; to daughters Mary Clements, Margaret GILLHAM, Elizabeth Price, Mary Ann Ashton, Rachel Carlile; son-in-law Thos. GILLHAM; daughter Margaret GILLHAM's children, 100 acres, part of testator's home plantation; son Samuel. Executrix, Sarah.
Teste: Jacob Clements, Chas. GILLHAM. (No certificate of Probate.)
Augusta County, VA, Will Book 2, pages 343-344.
17th Nov 1763.
James Finley's bond (with Jno. Stewart, Jno. Allison, Nathan Gilliland, Wm. Kerr) as administrator of Robt. Finley.
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
Augusta County, VA, Will Book ___, pages ___
21st Nov 1766
Settlement recorded of Robert Finley's estate, by James Finley
. . . paid . . . Nathanl. Gilliland; . . .
[Likely not a "GILLIAM."]
Augusta County, VA, Will Book ___, pages ___
1st April, 1783
Will of John McDonough, Saddler
Executors to sell house and lots in Staunton and plantation purchased of Capt. Thos. Smith; to Edward Hart McDonough, infant under 14, half of plantation in Albemarle whereon testator formerly lived (dwelt); to Dianah McDonough, under 18; to Edward Simpson, of Fredericksburg; Edward Hart McDonough at 14 to be bound to a saddler, tanner or hatter.
Executors, Thos. Smith, John Abney, Richard Madison.
Teste: Francis Mara, Robt. Cochran, Wm. GILHAM.
Proved, 20th May, 1783, by Cochran and Mora. Executors qualify.
Augusta County, VA, Will Book ___, pages ___
abt Oct 1783
Dr. the estate of Major Robert Burns
Paid Major John Belfield. Contra: 1781, September, received Thos. Clark's account (artificer), Richard Hedd's tavern account, Capt. Gaurley's account; 1782, August, received from Capt. Richard Singleton; by one lot known by name of Bessy Bell and Mary Gray containing 560 acres; 1776, by James Burns of Cumberland, County Juniatta; 1771, May, by John Walter Gibbs, Chas. Tours, price bond lost at the battle of Long Island for £250 hard dollars at 8/0; 1780, by General Thompson's account; 1783, April, paid John Brunt's wages; 1783, October, by cash received of William GILHAM.
Augusta County, VA, Will Book ___, pages ___
Sources
- Ancestry.com. 1860 Slave Schedule
- Augusta Parish Vestry Book
- Binns Genealogy. 1790/1800 County Tax Lists of Virginia.
- Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume VI, page 391
- Chalkey, Lyman. Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County, VA 1745-1800. 1912, produced Genealogical Publishing Company, 1989.
- Library of Virginia. Cohabitation Registers
- Library of Virginia, Revolutionary War Public Service Claims
- Pawlett, Nathaniel Mason. Augusta County Road Orders, 1745-1769. Virginia Transportation Research Council, Charlottesville, VA, June 1998.
- The Preston and Virginia Papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts. Madison: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1915, 365 pgs.
- Thomson's Mercantile and Professional Directory, 1851