Updated November 25, 2022
Background
In 1773, the Cherokee, Creek and Chickasaw Indian Chiefs, signed a treaty in which they granted 2 million acres of land to Georgia. Settlers from Virginia and Scotch-Irish Presbyterians from North Carolina, settled in the forks of the upper Ogeechee River and called their settlement Bethany. This was the first settlement of what would later become Greene County.
On February 3, 1786, Greene County was organized; being cut from the northern part of what was originally Washington County.
The county name and the county seat, Greensboro, were both named for Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene, who lived only a few months after this honor was bestowed him.
Overview
Greene County saw several Gilliam families: the family of Peter Gilliam who married Ann Heard, the family of Ezekiel and Sarah Gilham, the family of Micajah Williamson and Sarah Gilliam, his wife (Sarah was the daughter of William Gilliam and Mary Jarratt) and the family of Robert Gilliam of Cumberland County, VA.
Census
1820, Capt. Allen's District
Robert GILLUM
one male, age >45
two females, age 26-45
9 engaged in agriculture
20 slaves
adjacent are James C. Branch, Josiah E. Maddox, and Lodwick Alford
Roll: M33 8, Page: 209
Deeds
28 Jul 1787
Indenture between Wm. Hughes and Mary, his wife, of Wilkes County, Grantors and James Alford of Wilkes County, Grantee, for £100 sterling; 200 acres in Greene County, originally Wilkes County, granted 2 Oct 1784.
Wit: Jesse Heard, John Heard, Sarah GILLUMs.
Rec: No date.
Greene County, GA, Deed Book B, page 147
9 Oct 1788
Indenture between Micajah Williamson, Sr., and Sara [Gilliam], his wife, of Wilkes Co., Grantors and James Roan, Sr., of the County of Caswell, State of North Carolina, Grantee, for £100 specie; 200 acres in Greene County, granted to the said Williamson on 10 Jul 1784, and bounded by Samuel Slaughter and Micajah Williamson.
Wit: Richard Gilbert, Micajah Williamson, Jr., David Hillhouse, J. P.
Rec: 13 Oct 1789
Greene County, GA, Deed Book B, page 303
[Micajah Williamson, Sr., married Sarah GILLIAM, dau of William GILLIAM and Mary Jarratt, his wife.]
21 Sep 1786
Indenture between Micajah Williamson, Sr., and Sara, his wife of Wilkes County, Grantors, and Adam Simonton of Greene County, Grantee, for £100; 200 acres in Greene County, granted to said Williamson on 4 Jan 1785.
Wit: James Adams, Susannah GILLIAM.
Rec: 14 Oct 1789
Greene County, GA, Deed Book B, page 304
14 Feb 1789
Indenture between Micajah Williamson, Sr., and Sara, his wife of Wilkes County, Grantors, and Tunstall Roan of Greene County, Grantee for £500 lawful money; 400 acres in Wilkes County on Powell Creek as so called at time of grant, but now in Greene County, granted by the Governor in Council to said Williamson on 26 Oct 1784.
Wit: John Talbott, James Murry.
Rec: 14 Oct 1789
Greene County, GA, Deed Book B, page 306
16 Feb 1789
Indenture between Micajah Williamson, Sr., and Sara, his wife lying on both sides of Powell Creek as so called at time of the survey, said land granted by the Governor of Georgia on 26 Oct 1784.
Wit: John Tolbott, James Murray.
Rec: 27 Oct 1789
Greene County, GA, Deed Book B, page 310
7 May 1799
Moses Speer, Sheriff of Greene County at public sale, on May 7, 1799, sold to Charley Bostwick of the Town of Louisville, Jefferson County, GA as highest bidder, 230 acres of land in Washington County, now Greene County originally granted to James M. Gillon and mortgaged by Richard Morrason to the said Charley Bostwick.
Wit: John Hamit
Rec: 7 May 1799
Greene County, GA, Deed Book P, page 450
20 Sep 1799
Henry Carleton of Green Co sold to Robert GILLIAM of Jackson County on 20 Sep 1799 for the sum of $800, 250 acres of land in Greene County on the fork of the Alachee and Oconee Rivers called in the original survey Candler's land, bounded by Jenkins and Stowvall's lines
Wit: John ___ and Thomas Carleton, Clerk
Rec: 20 Sep 1799
Greene County, GA, Deed Book P, page 93
6 Dec 1800
Henry Carleton of Greene County to William Heagerty of same for $350, 140 acres, in the Reserve Fork of the Oconee ad Appalachee Rivers adj. Land of Butler, GILLIAM, Stovall, Henderson, the main road.
Sig: Henry Carleton
Wit: James H. Nickolson, Tho. Carleton, Clk.
Rec: 6 Dec 1800
Greene County, GA, Deed Book ___, page ____
26 Dec 1800
James Butler of Greene County to David McCormack of Jackson County for the sum of $200, 80 acres of land in Greene County part of a tract of land granted to Thomas Daniell and that part whereon the said James Butler now lives.
Sig: James Butler
Wit: Robert GILLIAM, Henry Harper, William Butler
Rec: 28 Jan 1801
Greene County, GA, Deed Book M, page 505
2 Jan 1801
Received of John Mills full satisfaction for 3 Negroes sold & delivered him: Mary, Jane & Chaney.
Sig: Robert Gilliam, Henry Carleton.
Wit: Joseph Carson, Joseph Phillips J. P.
Rec: 5 Jan 1801
5 Jan 1802
Henry Carleton of Greene County sold to Robert GILLIAM of Greene County on 5 Jan 1802 for the sum of $58, 23 acres of land in Greene County.
Rec: 12 May 1803
Greene County, GA, Deed Book AA, page 601
9 Dec 1802
Henry Carleton of Greene County gave to George Stovall on 9 Dec 1802 in consideration of good will and respect for George Stovall and others of religious principals, one acre of land for a church where it now stands on the hill above David McCormack's spring.
Wit: Rene Fitzpatrick, Robert GILLIAM and Joseph Buchanan.
Rec: no date
Greene County, GA, Deed Book AA, page 595
15 Dec 1802
Henry Carleton of Greene County sold to John Atkinson of Greene County for the sum of $15, 5 acres of land in Greene County.
Wit: Robert GILLAM
Rec 17 Jun 1803
Greene County, GA, Deed Book AA, page 618
__ Dec 1803
Joshua Hagerty of Greene County sold to Robert GILLIAM of Greene County for the sum of $200, 50 acres of land in Greene County.
Rec: 25 Jan 1804
Greene County, GA, Deed Book AA, page 735
5 Feb 1805
Stephen Heard of Clark County sold to Anna GILLUM of Greene County for the sum of $500, 150 acres on land in Greene County.
Wit: Charles GILLUM
Rec: 21 Jan 1808
Greene County, GA, Deed Book BB, page 657
5 Feb 1805
Stephen Heard of Clark County sold to Patsy GILLUM of Greene County for the sum of $365, 73 acres of land in Greene County.
Wit: Charles GILLUM
Rec: 28 Dec 1807
Greene County, GA, Deed Book BB, page 642
5 Aug 1805
Robert GILLUM of Greene County sold to Charles Davidson and Judith, his wife, for the sum of $200, 50 acres of land in Greene County.
Wit: George Stovall, J. P.
Rec: 7 Oct 1805
Greene County, GA, Deed Book BB, 234
1 Aug 1808
Samuel Henderson of Greene County sold to William Hagerty of Greene County for the sum of $260, land in Greene County bounded by Robert Gillam and Matthews land.
Wit: Jack Wellbourn, George Stovall, W. D. Martin.
Rec: 7 Sep 1808
Greene County, GA, Deed Book BB, page 23
Land Lottery
Georgia Land Lottery was an early Nineteenth-Century system of land re-distribution for Georgia's citizens. Under this system, qualifying citizens could register for a chance to win lots of land that had formerly (and in most cases recently) belonged to the Cherokee Indians and Creek Indians. This lottery system was utilized by the State of Georgia between the years 1805 and 1832. These lotteries were unique to the State of Georgia. No other state used a lottery system to distribute land.
Land lots were surveyed in five different sizes based on the perceived quality of the land. In 1805, land lots were 202.5 acres and 490 acres. In 1807, land lots were 202.5 acres. In 1820, land lots were 250 acres and 490 acres. In 1821, land lots were 202.5 acres. In the 1832 Land Lottery area, land lots were 160 acres, while in the 1832 Gold Lottery area, land lots were 40 acres. Prior to 1803, Georgia distributed land via a headright system.
1805
Of all the land lotteries, the eligibility requirements in 1805 were the most succinct. Every white male over 21 years of age who was a United States citizen was entitled to one draw if they had resided in the state for twelve months prior to the land lottery act. White males of the preceding description, but having a wife and legitimate children under age 21, were entitled to two draws. Widows, with legitimate children under age 21, were also entitled to two draws. Orphans whose parents were both deceased, or whose father was dead and mother remarried, were entitled to one draw.
Robert GILLUM, one draw
25 Sep 1806
A Certified list of people eligible for the 1807 land lottery, GA. Included was Robert GILLIAM, l draw in Capt. Butler's District
Also in this district was Martha Wilburn
Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 13, Number 2, Fall 1977, page 167.
1821
Land Lottery
Gillom, Suky C. (Wid), Greene County, Allens District, Lot 205, Section 18, in Henry County
Marriages
13 Feb 1808
Nancy Gilliam and Thomas Nelms
Periodicals
18 Jan 1820
William Boner tolls before John Garrett, Esq., a bay horse, blind of an eye . . . 10 or 12 years old. Appraised by Robert GILLUM and James C. Branch, $35.00.
Sig: Robert E. Martin, Clerk
Hartz, Fred R. and Emilie K. Genealogical Abstracts from the Georgia Journal (Milledgeville) Newspaper 1809-1840, Volume 2, 1819-1823. Vidalia, GA, 1992.
Slaves
2 Jan 1801
Greene County
Received of John Mills full satisfaction for 3 negroes sold and Delivered him: Mary, Jane and Chaney
Sig: Robt GILLIAM, Henry Carleton
Wit: Joseph Carson, Joseph Phillips
Rec: 5 Jan 1801
Taxes
1801
Robert GILLIAM paid taxes
Reel 230/10
1805, Butler District
Robert GILLIAM paid taxes
Reel 230/10
1815, Lodwick Alford District
Robert GILLIAM paid taxes
In same district were Martha Wilburn and Jack Wilburn
Reel 188/24
Wills
Will of John Anderson
13 Dec 1805
To wife, Lenny
Sons: Benjamin, Samuel C.
Exec: Robert Gilliam, George Stovall
Rec: 1 May 1805
Will of Julius Alford
9 Sep 1817
To son Lodwick Alford one negro Randolph plus 100 acres of land now in his possession.
To daughter Aley Askew, a negro woman Rose
To daughter Clarey Whatley, negro woman and child Selah and Nat
To daughter Betsy Ann Boon, two negro women, Daphene and Betsey
To daughter Susan GILLIAM, household furniture.
To son Zadok Alford, one negro Solomon
To daughter Rebecca Dickson, one negro woman Lucy
To daughter Patsy Cole, negro man Colton
To daughter Faithy Webb, negro man Wyatt
To Wife, land and house whereon I now live plus negroes Step, Perlina and Violet during her natural lifetime and after her death to my son Julius.
To son Julius, land and two negroes James and Jack
To daughter Mary Oglesby, two negroes Lewis and Elizabeth
To granddaughter Winney Cole, household furniture
To granddaughter Susan Webb, household items
Appoint wife Rebecca and son Julius C. Alford executors
Wit: John Garnett, Jesse Martindale, Thomas B. Garrett
Rec: 8 Sep 1820
Ebenezer Torrence, Clerk
Greene County, GA, Will Book F, page 42
Will of Martha [Taylor GILLIAM Wilburn] DeShazor
7 Sep 1820
To son Robert GILLIAM, $2 for his legacy from my estate forever.
To daughter Nancy Waddell lait [sic late, formerly] Nancy Williams [should this read GILLIAM?] should have $2 as her portion.
To daughter Polly Stovall lait [sic late, formerly], Polly Wilburn, negro woman named Fanny and her increase.
To daughter Martha Maddox lait [sic late, formerly], Martha Wilburn, negro named Peggy ___.
To granddaughter Louisa Blagrove Davis, $300 forever.
To son William Wilburn, Jack Wilburn and Thomas Wilburn, share equally with my daughters Polly Stovall and Martha Maddox in all my estate in Virginia and Georgia.
Appoint daughters Polly Stovall and Martha Maddox executrix and to divide residue between sons and daughters namely:
William Wilburn, Jack Wilburn, Thomas Wilburn, Polly Stovall and Martha Maddox.
Money that I left to granddaughter Louisa Blagrove Davis to be kept by my son Thomas Wilburn until she becomes of age or marries.
Wit: William I. Wilburn, Powhatan W. Stovall, William H. Ray.
Rec: 6 Apr 1822
Ebenezer Torrence, Clerk
Greene County, GA, Will Book F, page 60
[Martha Taylor is believed to be the daughter of William Taylor. She married John GILLIAM of Cumberland County, VA]
Will of Robert GILLIAM
26 May 1820
To wife Sucky C. Gilliam, all my property both real and personal except eight negroes, two to Polly Stovall, two to Josiah E. Maddox, two to Thomas Wilbourn, and two to Jack Wilburn.
Wife has priviledge of naming which negroes to be taken away in two days after my death.
Wit: John Park, Anderson Griffin, James C. Branch.
Rec: 9 Mar 1821
Ebenezer Torrence, Clerk
Greene County, GA Will Book F, page 50.
[Robert GILLIAM appears to be the son of John GILLIAM and Martha Taylor GILLIAM Wilburn DeShazor, above]
Estate
Lodwick Alford was listed as the administrator of the estate of Robert GILLIAM. Robert's estate consisted of 16 slaves, 436 acres of land in Greene County on Greenbrier Creek and 202 1/2 acres of land in Henry County.
[Robert GILLIAM appears to be spouse of Susan Alford above and son of Martha DeShazor above.]
Sources
- Georgia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 13, Number 2, Fall 1977, page 167.
- Greene County, GA, Deed Books
- Greene County, GA Will Books
- Hartz, Fred R. and Emilie K. Genealogical Abstracts from the Georgia Journal (Milledgeville) Newspaper 1809-1840, Volume 2, 1819-1823. Vidalia, GA, 1992.
- Turner, Freda R. Greene County, Georgia Land Records, Deeds 1785-1810