15 July 1819
Updated November 25, 2022
Overview:
John GILLIAM son of William GILLIAM and Christian Eppes, his wife was born the 15 Apr 1795. His birth and baptism are recorded in the Register of Bristol Parish. Apparently blind at the time of his death (age 23), he left his entire estate to his mother and nephews, the children of his sister, Elizabeth who had married Nathaniel Green Friend. His father and sister Jane had predeceased him. It appears his brother William was still living.
In the name of God Amen, I John GILLIAM of Weston in the County of Prince George, do make my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit:
In primis: I give unto my dear Mother, Christian GILLIAM, all my estate both real and personal to her and her heirs forever, but should my mother died without a Will in that case I leave at her death to my nephew Nathaniel G. Friend the tract of land known by the name of Weston lying on the Appomattox River and being the place where I now reside to him and his heirs forever.
I also give my said nephew in like manner one half of my Negroes, except as may be hereafter excepted
I give to my nephew Archibald Friend provided as before expressed that my mother should make no will the plantations in Amelia know by the name of the Sweat House, to him and his heirs forever, also the other half of my negroes in like manner, except that I give from the bulk of my estate at my death two negroes boys of equal value to my two nephews Nathaniel and Charles Friend to be about their age and to be bound at by their father or guardian until they require in knowledge of some valuable trade
I do order and direct that no inventory or appraisement of my estate be make or rendered it, and that no security be taken or given by my executors for the administration of my estate lastly I do appoint my said dear mother Christian GILLIAM executor to this my last Will and Testament.
Given under my hand and seal this fifteenth day of July one thousand eighteen hundred and nineteen signed and sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us Saml Perkins, Daniel Eppes, Archibald Eppes
Sig: John GILLIAM
The above John GILLIAM from his inability to see, has in our presence delivered us to witness this instrument being his last will. S P. [Samuel Perkins]
Sources
- Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Friend, Benjamin Carter Minge, 1846-1926. Friend family. Papers, 1792-1871 (bulk 1839-1871). Section 5. Mss1 F9156 a 5, Commonplace book, 1792-1860, kept by Benjamin Carter Minge Friend containing wills (copies) probated in Prince George County, Va., of Archibald Eppes [pp. 22-23], Christian (Robertson) Eppes [pp. 6-7], Richard Eppes (1736-1792) [pp. 3-5], Robertson Eppes [p. 18], John Gilliam (1712-1774) [pp. 1-2], John Gilliam (1761-1823) [p. 24], and William Gilliam (d. 1800) [pp. 19-21].