Updated November 25, 2022
Background
Chickasaw County was established on February 9, 1836, and was named for the Chickasaw Indian Tribe that occupied the northern part of Mississippi. The county, when organized was much larger than it is now, included most of what is now Calhoun County, the northern part of Clay County and the extreme northeastern part of Webster County. Chickasaw County contained 1,077 square miles of territory and now composes 507 square miles.
The county seat was organized in 1837 and named Houston in honor of Sam Houston, a friend of Joel Pinson. Pinson donated the land for the town on condition that it be named after his childhood friend. In 1877, the legislature enacted a law dividing the county into two judicial districts with Houston as First and Okolona as Second.
Overview
Chickasaw County was settled by two Gilliam families:
- Littleberry Gilliam the son of John Gilliam of Buckingham County, VA and Catherine Routon, his wife, married on 3 May 1827 in Franklin County, AL Elizabeth Ann Tompkins. Littleberry married secondly the widow Mary Ann Dennis on 17 Mar 1864 in Pontotoc County, MS. Thirty-three voters selected a Board of Police made up of Littlebury Gilliam, Thomas Gates, Thomas D. Wooldridge, Benjamin Bugg and Asa H. Braddock, in an election held April 23, 1836. Littleberry was the founder of Prairie Mount and was also a former State Senator (1843) as well as the largest landowner in the county by the time the Civil War started. It is said that Littleberry Gilliam was killed in Chickasaw County in October of 1864. Federal deserters, or “bummers” beat and tortured Littleberry to get to his gold which was hidden. Littleberry escaped his captors and hid under the floor boards of his barn. The bummers caught up with him, and set fire to the barn thus burning Littleberry alive.
- Jesse Gilliam, born about 1797, in North Carolina. Jesse married Catherine “Kitty” Monasco on 25 Mar 1825 in Greene County, AL.
Cemetery
Gilliam Cemetery,
Gilliam Cemetery is located 2.3 miles from the Chickasaw/Pontotoc County line on Hwy 41, the north side of the Hwy; 100 yards north on the left side of the wagon road in the woods.
GILLIAM, Littleberry,
B. May 22, 1799, D. Oct 25, 1864
GILLIAM, Eliza Ann,
B. Jul 14, 1810, D. Aug 25, 1855, wife of Littleberry Gilliam
GILLIAM, J. H.,
B. Aug 17, 1829, D. Apr 11, 1861
TURNER, Capt. J. E.,
B. Sep 16, 1833, D. May 29, 1864, fell in battle near New Hope Church, GA
NO STONE, brick lined gravesite
[possibly grave of J. S. Chancellor]
CHANCELLOR, Ellen R.,
B. Aug 18, 1844, D. May 11, 1875, consort of J. S. Chancellor
Like Spring's first flowers she passed away,
Mid innocence and bloom,
To flourish in a brighter world
Far, far, beyond the tome.
CHANCELLOR, Matilda A.,
B. Jul 23, 1841, D. Dec 17, 1872, consort of J. S. Chancellor
Too gifted, good and beautiful
For this cold world of ours
She bade its scenes a last adieu
To dwell in Edne's bowers.
CHANCELLOR, Little Willie,
B. Apr 25, 1862, D. Aug 15, 1864, infant son of J. S. & M A. Chancellor
Chickasaw Times Past, Vol IV, No III
Census
1837
Name: Jesse Gilam
State: MS
County: Chickasaw County
Township: No Township Listed
Year: 1837
Page: 000
Database: MS 1837 State Census Index
1840
Littlebury Gilliam
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Chickasaw, Mississippi
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 3
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 4
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 2
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 7
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total Slaves: 10
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 17
Jesse Gilliam
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Chickasaw, Mississippi
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 5
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 8
1841
Littlebury Gilliams
State: MS
County: Chickasaw County
MS 1841 State Census Index
Jesse Gillam
State: MS
County: Chickasaw County
MS 1841 State Census Index
1845
Littlebury Gilliam
State: MS
County: Chickasaw County
MS 1845 State Census Index
Name: Jesse Gilliam
State: MS
County: Chickasaw County
Township: No Township Listed
Year: 1845
Database: MS 1845 State Census Index
1850
Littlebury Gilliam
Age: 57
Birth Year: abt 1793
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Eastern Division, Chickasaw, Mississippi
Gender: Male
Family Number: 233
Littlebury Gilliam, age 57
Eliza A Gilliam, age 42
John H Gilliam, age 21
Mary F Gilliam, age 15
Eliza V Gilliam, age 13
William L Gilliam, age 11
Matilda A Gilliam, age 9
Rebecca E Gilliam, age 6
Patrick T Gilliam, age 4
Jesse Gilliam
Age: 53
Birth Year: abt 1797
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1850: Eastern Division, Chickasaw, Mississippi
Gender: Male
Family Number: 508
Household Members:
Name Age
Jesse Gilliam 53
Catharine Gilliam 41
Eliza A Gilliam 24
James Gilliam 23
Thomas J Gilliam 21
George W Gilliam 18
Benjamin F Gilliam 19
William Gilliam 15
Charles Gilliam 13
John Gilliam 11
Theodore Gilliam 8
Mary Gilliam 6
Henry Gilliam 3
Martha A Gilliam 1
Victoria Bradley 6
James Bradley 3
William R Bradley 2
Richard Bradby 28
1860
L Giliam
Age in 1860: 60
Birth Year: abt 1800
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Division 1, Chickasaw, Mississippi
Gender: Male
Post Office: Okolona
L Giliam, age 60
John Giliam, age 28
Mary Giliam, age 24
Will Giliam, age 20
Matilda Giliam, age 18
Ellen Giliam, age 14
Tom Giliam, age 12
Catharine Gilliam
Age in 1860: 52
Birth Year: abt 1808
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1860: Division 2, Chickasaw, Mississippi
Gender: Female
Post Office: Houston
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members:
Name Age
Catharine Gilliam 52
George Gilliam 27
Charles Gilliam 22
John Gilliam 19
Theodore Gilliam 17
Mary Gilliam 15
H C Gilliam 13
Ann Gilliam 11
Education
1850, Educable Children
LIttleberry Gilliam
2 males
5 females
Jesse Gilliam
7 males
1 female
Mississippi, Enumeration of Educable Children, 1850-1892; 1908-1957, Chickasaw 1850, Image 5 of 49
Marriages
| Date | Spouse | |
| 13 Jan 1890 | Addie Gilliam | A. Henderson |
| 11 Sep 1887 | Amanda Gilliam | Roland McJunken |
| 3 May 1891 | Ambrose Gilliam | Mary Wheeler |
| 18 Dec 1899 | Ambrose Gilliam | Ella Gilliam |
| 10 Apr 1887 | Bettie Gilliam | Del Lavalle |
| 30 Dec 1887 | Callie Gilliam | John H. Chew |
| 18 Dec 1899 | Ella Gilliam | Ambrose Gilliam |
| 22 Dec 1895 | James Gilliam | Rosa Lee Gladney |
| 20 Dec 1899 | James Gilliam | Fannie Timms |
| 28 Oct 1889 | James H. Gilliam | Amelia Snowden |
| 17 Dec 1885 | Jennie Gilliam | James Threat |
| 22 Dec 1892 | John Henry Gilliam | Lula Jane Reid |
| 11 Dec 1892 | Julia A. Gilliam | Thomas Hill |
| 26 May 1892 | Liza Gilliam | Henry Stovall |
| 21 Jun 1889 | Liza Gillian | Ed Gladney |
| 9 Jun 1890 | Mary Gilliam | Nathan Shannon |
| 15 Jan 1892 | Mattie Gilliam | Andrew Griffin |
| 8 Dec 1887 | Mrs. Martha Gilliam | Enoch Gideon |
| 10 Sep 1898 | Perry Gilliam | Lima Adams |
| 28 Jan 1867 | S. G. Gillian | J. D. Harrington |
| 18 Nov 1890 | Sallie Gilliam | E. G. Harris |
| 20 Dec 1888 | Sarah Gilliam | Rees Thompson |
Military
Littleberry Gillium
Side: Confederate
Regiment State/Origin: Mississippi
Regiment Name: Capt. Abbott's Co., Mississippi Cavalry
Regiment Name Expanded: Abbott's Company, Mississippi Cavalry
Rank In: Corporal
Rank In Expanded: Corporal
Rank Out: Corporal
Rank Out Expanded: Corporal
Film Number: M232 roll 15
Politics
1843
Senator
Littleberry Gillum
Lowry, Robert. A History of Mississippi: From the Discovery of the Great River by Hernando DeSoto, Including the Earliest Settlement Made by the French Under Iberville, to the Death of Jefferson Davis
Power of Attorney
18 Aug 1853
Grantor: William Ragsdale
Grantee: Thomas J. Woodson
I William Ragsdale of Chickasaw County, Mississippi appoint Thomas J. Woodson of Tippah County, Mississippi my Attorney to receive of the Clerk of and Master of Chancery Court of Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee my claim or interst in the estate of Edward and Penelope Ragsdale, dec'd.
Wit: Littleberry Gilliam, William Franks
Rec: 5 Sep 1853
Book: V, Page: 417
Prairie Mount
The town of Prairie Mount was situated on the edge of the prairie in the northeastern part of Chickasaw County. It was on the public road leading from Okolona to Pontotoc, and about five miles north of the former place. Prairie Mount was founded by Littleberry Gilliam, an enterprising farmer, who removed from Franklin County, Ala., and settled there about 1836. He became one of the members of the first board of police of Chickasaw County and aided in its organization. The little village was named by him in 1836. His residence was opened to the public as a wayside inn for the accommodation of travelers seeking land investments from all that part of the Tombigbee River country south of Pontotoc. There was soon established two small dry goods stores, a grog shop, a blacksmith, and a wagon repair shop, but the place was not incorporated until 1852. About the time of the permanent location of the survey of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, the beginning of the present town of Okolona was made by the erection of one or two farm residences and a saloon. It soon began to grow into a trade center for that part of the county which had hitherto contributed to the growth of Prairie Mount. At the close of the War between the States Prairie Mount became extinct. The site of this once prosperous town is now part of a farm.
Slave Schedules
1850
Age | Gender | Race | Name of Slave Owner | Home in 1850 |
| 48 | Male | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 35 | Female | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 35 | Male | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 33 | Male | Mulatto | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 30 | Male | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 30 | Male | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 25 | Female | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 25 | Male | Mulatto | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 23 | Male | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 23 | Male | Mulatto | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 22 | Female | Mulatto | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 22 | Female | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 22 | Male | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 20 | Female | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 20 | Female | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 20 | Female | Mulatto | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 18 | Male | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 16 | Female | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 16 | Female | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 16 | Male | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 12 | Male | Mulatto | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 11 | Male | Mulatto | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 7 | Male | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
| 5 | Male | Black | Littleberry Gilliam | Eastern Division, Chickasaw County |
1860
Age | Gender | Race | Name of Slave Owner | Home in 1860 |
| 57 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 50 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 45 | Female | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 43 | Male | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 40 | Male | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 38 | Male | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 38 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 35 | Male | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 35 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 33 | Male | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 33 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 33 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 33 | Female | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 33 | Female | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 28 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 28 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 26 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 25 | Female | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 25 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 22 | Male | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 21 | Female | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 20 | Female | Mulatto | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 20 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 20 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 13 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 13 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 10 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 9 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 8 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 6 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 6 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 6 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 4 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 4 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 4 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 3 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 3 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 3 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 3 | Female | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 3 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 3 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 3 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 3 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 3 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 1 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 1 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
| 1 | Male | Black | L Gilliam | Division 1, Chickasaw County |
Tax Lists
1837
Jesse Gilliam
1 white
0 slaves
Littleb'y Gilliam
1 white
6 slaves
Wills
25 Oct 1864
Will of Littleberry Gilliam
His wish is that Mr. J. S. Chancellor and Mr. F. Murray to administer on his estate and pay all of his just debts to see that his contracts are fulfilled and that his wife Mary Ann Gilliam have a dowry of five thousand dollars in currency. He further wills and bequeaths that after paying all just contract and expenses of administration that the property be equally divided between his children, all bonds of railroad and Confederate states to be place in market at the earliest practicable period and disposed of to the best advantage all lands or other real estate to valued according to same and equally divided between the heirs.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 25th day of October 1864.
Sig: Littleberry [his X mark] Gilliam
Wit: G. W. Roberts, A. Mauldin, T. E. Skinner
State of Mississippi Probate Court
Chickasaw County
November Term 1864
Be it remembered that on this the 28th day of November 1864 personally appeared in and before the court T. M. Roberts and S. Mauldin, subscribing witnesses to the above and foregoing Testament of writing here now to the court shown whom after being first duly sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth concerning the Execution and publishing said instrument of writing severally and respectively thereto that they saw Littleberry Gilliam sign, send and published said instrument of writing as his true last Will and Testament and that they together with J. E. Skinner, the other subscribing witness severally subscribed their names respectively thereto as witnesses in the presence and at the request of the testator and in the presence of each other on the day it bears date and that the said testator was at the time of signing and publishing the said Will of sound and disposing mind and memory.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court
Sig: G. W. Roberts, A. Mauldin
This the 28th day of November 1864
Allen White, Judge of Probate
State of Mississippi, Chickasaw County
I J. A. Loughridge Clerk of the said county do hereby certify that the within and forgoing will and Affidavit thereto was this day duly recorded in my office in Volume 9 of Wills and Inventories on page 48 give under my hand and the seal of said court this the 1st day of February 1865.
J. A. Loughridge, Clerk
Sources
- Lowry, Robert. A History of Mississippi: From the Discovery of the Great River by Hernando DeSoto, Including the Earliest Settlement Made by the French Under Iberville, to the Death of Jefferson Davis
- Mississippi, Enumeration of Educable Children, 1850-1892; 1908-1957, Chickasaw 1850, Image 5 of 49