Updated November 25, 2022
Background
The association of the Gilliams and the Russells extends back at least to the mid 1750s.
In Nov 1755 Marmaduke Brown sues Francis Johnson, William Russell and Elizabeth his wife, Epaphroditus GILLIAM and Priscilla his wife, Thomas Murrell, Jeffry Murrell and Thomas Russell. It appears that Brown is suing heirs.
By Jun 1761 Epaphroditus GILLIAM has died. His Will was presented by William Green Munford, the Executor and proved by John Sherman Gregory and James McMannis, John Brooks and Thomas Russell were his securities.
In 1771 Francis Wilson of Charles City sells to Jeffry GILLIAM 125 acres that said Wilson purchased of John GILLIAM, bounded by William Edwards, Thomas Russell, William West and said Jeffry GILLIAM. This deed was witnessed by Edward Russell.
One year later in 1772 Jeffrey GILLIAM with wife, Sarah sells to Philemon Charles the same 125 acres, purchased of Francis Wilson. The witnesses include: Samuel Russell, Francis Drake, Edward Russell.
From 1792 to 1799 Edward Russell’s estate appears in Charles City County land tax records with 114 acres.
Shortly after Edward Russell’s death, Jeffrey GILLIAM, becomes the guardian of “infant” Thomas Russell.
In 1800 Thomas Russell makes his first appearance in the Land Tax records with 114 acres. It appears that Thomas Russell is the son of Edward Russell and that Jeffery Gilliam served as Thomas’ guardian.
It should be noted that Jeffery named two sons Edward and Thomas (given names not previously used by this Gilliam line). It is possibly that Jeffery’s wife Sarah was a near relative of Edward and Thomas Russell.
It appears that these Russells are the same Russells that maybe found in Lunenburg County. Among them are Jeffery Russell and Philemon Russell. On July 5, 1751 Philemon Russell patents in Lunenburg County 400 acres on head of Miles Creek adj. Jeffery Russell.
Thomas Russell Orphan in Acct with Jeffery Gilliam, Guardian
| 1797 | To 1 quire paper, 1/6 1 pair shoes 8/6 | £ 0.10.0 |
| To 4 yard oznabrug, 5/4, quire paper 1/6 | 0.6.10 | |
| To Paper, ink powder | 0.1.0 | |
| To Board for this year | 12.0.0 | |
| To Schooling | 1.10.0 | |
| To Board one of your young negroes | 4.0.0 | |
| To 1 1/2 yards coating at 9/ | 0.13.6 | |
| To thread to make ditto | 0.0.7 1/2 | |
| To 2/4 yds double Virginia cloth st 3/ | 0.6.9 | |
| To 1 yd single ditto | 0.2.0 | |
| To making coat, best and britches | 0.10.0 | |
| £20.0.8 1/2to | ||
| 1797 | Contra | |
| By hire negro man Peter | 14.6.0 | |
| By hire negro woman | 5.0.0 | |
| By rent plantation | 4.0.0 | |
| By hire man Charles | 11.0.0 | |
| By hire young Peter | 7.7.0 | |
| £44.13.0 | ||
| 1798 | To 1 pair shoes | 0.8.0 |
| To the crier for hire negroes | 0.2.6 | |
| To one Hatt | 0.7.6 | |
| To 6 2/4 yds Virginia cloth at 2/6 | 0.15.7 1/2 | |
| To making two shirts | 0.4.0 | |
| To two midwifes fees | 0.19.6 | |
| 2 1/4 yds linen at 2/ | 0.4.6 | |
| To 2 yds oznabrug 1/6 | 0.3.0 | |
| To making 2 pair overhalls 2/6 | 0.2.6 | |
| To one small knife | 0.0.9 | |
| To board for this year | 0.12.0 | |
| To 6 months schooling | 0.18.0 | |
| £16.5.10 1/2 | ||
| 1798 | Contra | |
| By hire negro man Peter | 13.0.0 | |
| By hired negro Charles | 13.3.0 | |
| By hire boy Peter | 7.12.0 | |
| By hire boy Isaiah | 1.18.0 | |
| By hire negro woman | 3.0.0 | |
| By rent plantation | 4.0.0 | |
| £ 42.13.0 | ||
| 1799 | To pair shoes 7/6 & 2 3/4 yds Virginia cloth at 2/ | £0.15.9 |
| To making 1 pair overalls 2/ | 0.2.0 | |
| To making vest 2/ to the cryer for hiring negroes | 0.4.3 | |
| To 2 yds coating at 10/ | 1.0.0 | |
| To 1 pair stockings 7/6 and making coat 8/ | 0.15.6 | |
| 6 1/2 yds Virginia cloth at 2/6 | 0.16.3 | |
| To making two shirts | 0.4.0 | |
| To 1 3/4 yds double Virginia cloth 3/ | 0.5.3 | |
| To making pair bruches | 0.3.6 | |
| To making vest & bruches | 0.8.0 | |
| To 1 yd india cotton 3/ & 3 1/2 yd linen 4/6 | 0.18.9 | |
| To 4 1/2 yd oznabrug at 1/9 | 0.7.10 1/2 | |
| To making two pair overalls | 0.3.0 | |
| To making 1 shirt | 0.4.6 | |
| To 1 pr shoes 9. & 4 yds Virginia cloth a 3/ | 1.1.0 | |
| To 3 yds Virginia cloth 2/6 & making coat 8/ | 0.15.6 | |
| To making 1 pr drawers 1. & pr Levy 5.4 | 0.6.4 | |
| To board | 13.0.0 | |
| £21.11.5 1/2 | ||
| 1799 | Contra | |
| By hire young Peter | 10.4.0 | |
| By hire of old Peter | 14.1.0 | |
| By hire of Charles | 14.0.0 | |
| By hire of Isaiah | 2.10.0 | |
| By hire of Esther | 3.0.0 | |
| By rent of plantation | 4.0.0 | |
| £47.15.0 |
At a monthly court held for Charles City County at the court house on Thursday the 17th day of April 1800, the aforewritten accounts of Jeffery Gilliam, guardian of Thomas Russell for the years 1797, 1798 and 1799 was this day returned into court by sd Gilliam and being examined and approved of by the court, and sworn to by the said guardian are ordered to be recorded.
Teste
Wyatt Walker CC
Sources