Updated November 25, 2022
Background
On February 20, 1796 Lincoln County was established as the twenty-fourth county in the state of Georgia. Before then, its territory was part of Wilkes County, now on its western side. The new county was named after General Benjamin Lincoln, a patriot and Revolutionary War hero. Lincoln was born in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1733. Lincoln was notable for receiving Gen. Cornwallis's Sword of Surrender at Yorktown, Virginia at the formal end of the war. In 1809 he retired from the military and died in 1810.
Overview
Lincoln County was settled by Peter Gilliam who married Mary Jones the daughter of William Jones. it is likely that Peter hails from Hanover County, VA. Peter’s son, Henry, served on the USS Constitution and died at Thompson’s Island, now Key West. After Peter’s death his family removed to Madison County, AL.
Marriages
6 Nov 1814
Nancy Gillum and Robert Walton
Dodd, Jordan. Georgia Marriages to 1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997.
Military
Henry Gilliam, son of Peter and Mary Gilliam, served on the USS Constitution.
Parish
Goshen Baptist Church
1236 Goshen Church Road
June 1803
These persons "come forward and was received into Fellowship by Experience":
Robert Harper
Lucy Harper
Polly Steele
Mr. Steele's Roy
Mr. Gillum's Aggie
Mr. Steele's Rachel
Mr. Stokes' Carter
Mr. Walton's Chloe
Junior Selvey
Whitby
Mary Tatom
Nov 1810
Aggy, belonging to Peter Gillum, charged with living in adultery; she was excommunicated.
Aug 1813
Charles, belonging to Peter Gillum, excommunicated for being intoxicated and for going to bed with another man's wife.
1866, September 7. Sixth article of Church Decorum stricken out by vote.
The article was a follows: "Resolved, That the Black people who are members of this church intending to marry at any time shall first make it known to their master, mistress, or overseer."
The names of persons who having been once added to this Church as members and have been expelled or excommunicated for various improprieties.
1. Betty, slave of S. Groce
2. Phoebe Pate
3. Wm. Arrant
4. James Smart
5. and wife
6. Harry, slave of Widow Walton
7. Mark, slave of N. Walton
8. Chloe, slave of Newel Walton
9. Mary Ansley
10. Susannah Ford
11. Elisha Holmes
12. Sam Empy, slave of T. Murray
13. John Edmonds
14. Hugh Cooper
15. Amy, slave of W. Harper
16. William Stokes
17. Hugh Cooper
18. Ralph Stovall
19. Wm. Golden
20. Aggy, slave of P. Gillum, removed
21. Tiller, slave of T. Murray
22. Lewis Glaze
23. Samuel Davis
24. Charles Right
25. Lewis Crosson
26. Charles, slave of P. Gillum
27. Ben, slave of T. Murray
28. Sam, slave of T. Murray, dead
29. Glascow, slave of John Owens excommunicated
30. Joshua, slave of William Smith, removed
31. Toney, slave of William Stokes
32. January, slave of David Murray
33. Kial, now slave of T. W. Murray
34. George, slave of John W. Dooly
35. Lang, slave of Wm. Stokes
36. Michael, slave of Robert Harper, dead
37. Jerry, slave of W. Stokes
38. Humphrey, slave of T. Murray
39. Philis, slave of T. Murray
40. Abe, slave of W. Mathews
41. Betty
[Agnes was bequeathed by Peter to his daughter Nancy Jones Gillum and Charles was bequeathed to son Charles.]
Property Tax
1799-1806
Peter Gillum
Militia District: Captain Murrays
15 slaves, 250 acres adjacent Murray and Matthews
1818
Henry Gilliam
Militia District: Captain Tatams
“belonging to US Navey agent for Lee Bird”
15 slaves, 283 acres adjoining Murray and Rock Cr
Ancestry.com. Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1893 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
Original data: Georgia Tax Digests [1890]. 140 volumes. Morrow, Georgia: Georgia Archives.
Wills
13 Jan 1800
Will of William Jones
Sons: William, Henry, exrs.
Daus: Elizabeth Bird, Mary Gillum, Susannah Bailey, Jenny Bostick, Milly Murry, Fanny Jones, Sally Jones.
Grch: minor heirs of son, John.
Grson: William Jones.
Rec; 17 Feb 1801
Lincoln County, GA, Will Book A, page 39
23 Oct 1806
Estate of Jean Tatom
Returns of estate.
Personal property appraised 8 Sep 1806 by Peter Gillum, David Murray, Newell Walton, Jr.
Sale 23 Oct 1806.
Lincoln County, GA, Will Book B, page 94
30 July 1817
Will of Peter Gillum
I Peter Gillum, Planter of the state and county aforesaid do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament and do hereby revoke all others whatsoever
Item the first
I do give and bequeath unto my wife Mary Gillum one negro woman named Sarah, one girl named Peggy, one negro boy named Austin, and one negro girl named Jemima to do with as she pleases and do likewise lend unto her for the maintenance of her self and my son John Gillum, one negro name named Davy, one named Charles and one named Dick and at the death of my wife Mary Gillum and my son John the aforesaid mention negro man Davy, Charles and Sick to be equally divided between my son Henry, daughters Elizabeth and Susannah Gillum or their heirs forever,
Also I lend unto my wife (the aforesaid mentioned Mary Gillum during her lifetime the tract of land on which I now live during her lifetime and at her death do give unto my son Henry Gillum and his heirs forever.
Also all my household and kitchen furniture excepting such as I may hereafter give away
Item Second
To my son Henry Gilliam I give and bequeath two Negros boys one named James and the other Steppey, one feather bed and furniture, one horse and saddle of the value of one hundred and twenty five dollars this sum to be raised out of my stock; viz., of cattle, sheep and horses to be sold by my executors with out inventory or appraisement having confidence in him to do the same as though I were alive myself this balance of my stock, household and kitchen furniture (except such as may hereafter be mentioned) I desire and bequeath unto my wife Mary Gillum, during her life time and at her death to be equally divided between my son Henry, daughters, Elizabeth and Susannah Gillum.
Item the third
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Nancy Jones Walton one negro woman named Agness one negro boy named Gabriel and ___ ____ to the heirs of her body forever.
Item the fourth
To my daughter Elizabeth Jones Gillum I give and bequeath one negro boy named Jacob, one named William and one negro girl named Jinny, one feather bed and furniture, my bay horse and one saddle, one cow and calf to her and her heirs forever
Item the fourth [sic]
Ito my daughter Susannah Willson Gillum I give and bequeath one negro boy named Ellich, one negro girl named Charlotte and negro boy named Bartlett, one horse and saddle of the value of sixty dollars and one cow and calf, one feather bed and furniture, to her and her heirs forever
Item the fifth
To my grand daughter, Mary Ann Gillum, I give and bequeath one Negro boy name Patrick
To my grand son Henry Gillum I give and bequeath one Negro boy named Thomas
And to my grand daughter Elizabeth Gillum one Negro boy named Jimbo, to them and their heirs forever
The above mentioned negro boys named Patrick, Thomas and Jimbo to be kept by my son Henry Gillum and Robert L. Walton until the said Mary Ann, Henry, Elizabeth Gillum become of age or marries to be hired by said Henry Gillum and Robert L. Walton at their discretion and the proceed of the fire to be kept for the sole use of the aforesaid mention, Mary Ann, Henry and Elizabeth Gillum until they become of age or marry.
I do hereby constitute and ordain my wife Mary Gillum my executrix and my son Henry Gillum executor.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen
Sig: Peter Gillum
Wit: James Murray, Barnett Goolsby, Newman S. Matthews
Lincoln County, GA
Personally appeared in open court James Murray, Barnett Goolsby and Newman Matthews and being duly sworn agreeable to law, seethe that they saw Peter Gillum, decd, sign, seal and his act him acknowledged the above instrument of writing to be his last Will and Testament and at the time of his so doing he was of a sound disposing mind and memory to the best of their knowledge
Sworn to in open court this first day of September 1817
Sig: James Murray, Barnett Goolsby, and Newman S. Matthews
Teste:
Wm Harper CCO
Lincoln County, GA, Will Book D, page ___
www.FamilySearch.org. Georgia, Probate Records, 1742-1975, Lincoln Wills and Estates, 1796-1877, Volume B-E, page ___, Image ___ of 598
Sources
- Ancestry.com. Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1893 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
- Georgia Tax Digests [1890]. 140 volumes. Morrow, Georgia: Georgia Archives.
- Dodd, Jordan. Georgia Marriages to 1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997.
- Lincoln County, GA, Will Book D, page ___
- FamilySearch.org. Georgia, Probate Records, 1742-1975, Lincoln Wills and Estates, 1796-1877, Volume B-E,