Updated September 17, 2023
Background
It was formed in 1764 from the eastern part of Granville County. It was named for John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1762 to 1763. In 1779 Bute County was divided into Franklin County and Warren County, and ceased to exist.
Overview
The earliest Gilliams of Bute County (Ephraim and William were in Bute by 1768) originate in Albemarle Parish, Surry and Sussex Counties, VA and are the descendants of Walter Gilliam and Sarah, his wife. In 1779 Bute County was divided into Franklin County and Warren County, and ceased to exist and William and Ephraim found themselves in what became Franklin County.
Court Orders
Thursday after the second Tuesday in August 1768
A Deed of Bargain and Sale from John Bennitt to Ephraim Gilliam proved by the oath of Matthew Thomas a Witness thereto, and On motion the same is Ordered to be register'd.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
15 Nov 1769
Deed from William Woolbanks to Ephraim Gillum proved by the oath of Charles Cooke and on Motion the same is Ordered to be Registered.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
14 Nov 1770
A Deed of Bargain & Sale from William Gillum to William Shell was proved by the Oath of Benjamin Brett a witness thereto, and on Motion the same is Ordered to be Registered.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
14 Nov 1771
A Deed from Ephraim Gilliam to Charles Cooke was proved by the Oath of Edward Richardson a witness thereto & on Motion the Same is Ordered to be Registered.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
12 Feb 1772
The Grand jury for the body of this County being Impanneld and Sworn, to wit Michael Collins foreman, Roger Thornton, John Cooke, Thomas Roberson, William Shearin, Benjamin Ellis, Richard Bennett, John Laughter, Joseph McGee, Thomas House, Edward Richardson, George Kirk, Ephraim Gillam, John Christmass Jun'r & John Duke, having received their Charge withdrew &C.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
11 Nov 1772
A Deed from Jesse Gillam to John & Joseph Darnal, proved by the Oath of William Darnal a witness thereto, and on motion the same is Ordered to be Registered.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
11 Feb 1773
Ordered that Abraham Hunston an Orphan be bound to Ephraim Gilliam untill he attain to Lawfull age (being now fifteen years old) his said master to learn him to read & write and the business of a planter.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
11 Feb 1773
A Deed from Nicholas Hill to Thomas Richardson was proved by the Oath of Ephraim Gilliam a witness thereto & on motion the same is Ordered to be Registered.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
10 Aug 1774
A Deed from Ephraim Gillam & Celia Gillam to William Stewart was proved by the oath of Jesse Vincent a Witness and on motion the same is ordered to be registered.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
12 Feb 1777
A Deed from Ephraim Gillam to John Leonard was proved by the oath of Peter Smart a Witness thereto and on Motion the same is Ordered to be Registered.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
12 Feb 1777
A Deed from Howell Mangum to John Gillam proved by Kannon (Cannon) Cooper a witness thereto and on Motion the same was Ordered to be Registered.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
12 Nov 1777
A Deed from Ephraim Gillam and Celia his wife to William Steward was proved by the oath of Arthur Murphey a Witness thereto and on Motion the same is Ordered to be Registered.
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
12 Nov 1777
A Deed from John Gilliam to Joseph Mangum was proved by the Oath of Kannon Cooper a Witness thereto and on Motion the same is Ordered to be Registered.50
Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
Deeds
19 Dec 1769
Ephraim GILLIAM to Charles Cook(e), both of Bute Co. 12 Pds: 5 Sh: Va. money for 100 A. in Bute Co. adj. John Cook.
Wit: Edward Richardson, Jesse Vinson.
Proved by Edward Richardson, Bute Nov. Court 1771,
Ben McMulloch, C.C.
Reg: 8 Feb. 1772, by Jas. Johnson, P. R.
10th. Feby. 1773 Deld. to C. Cook.
Warren County, NC, Deed Book 3, page 353.
8 Oct 1770
William GILLIAM of Granville Co, NC to William Shell, of Brunswick Co, VA 76 pds. VA money for 50 acs. in Bute Co, NC from Earl Granville . . . adj. Samuel Ye(a)rgain, William Clanton, Martin Forrest, Jonathan Riggin, John James Bird, Thomas Eaton and GILLIAM.
Wit: Benjamin Brett, Daniel Huff, Elizabeth Barker.
Bute County, NC, November Court 1770
Granville County, NC, Deed Book 3, p 140
31 Mar 1772
Jesse Vinson & Maggarit Vinson to David Vinson, both of Bute Co. 35 Pds. Va. money for 100 A. in Bute Co. on SS Bever Dam Swamp, part of a grant, Feb. 1761.
Wit: Ephraim GILLIAM, Edward Richardson, William Richardson.
Proved by Edward Richardson, Bute August Court 1772,
Ben McMulloch, C.C.
Reg: 29 October 1772, by JAS. Johnson, P.R.
0th. Feby. 1773 Deld. Chas. Cook
Warren County, NC, Deed Book 3, page 507.
31 Mar 1772
William Vinson to David Vinson, both of Bute Co. 5 Pds. Va. money for 100 A. in Bute Co. on SS Sandy Creek, adj. David Vinson & part of a grant 27 Nov. 1760.
Wit: Edward Richardson, Ephraim GILLIAM, Jesse Vinson.
Proved by Edward Richardson, Bute August Court 1772,
Ben McMulloch, C. C.
Reg: 29 October 1772, by James Johnson, P.R.
Deld. to Chas. Cook 10th. Feby. 1773.
Warren County, NC, Deed Book 3, page 508.
11 Mar 1772
Thomas Hill, of Luningburg Co., N.C. [sic], to David Vinson, of Co. & Province afsd. 20 Pdm. Va. money for 90 A. in Co. & Province afsd. on SS Sandy Creek, part of a grant 2 Nov. 1762.
Wit: Ephraim GILLIAM, Edward Richardson.
Proved by Edward Richardson, Bute August Court 1772,
Ben McMulloch, C.C.
Reg: 30 Oct. 1772, by James Johnson, P.R.
10th. Feby.1773 Deld. Chas. Cook.
Warren County, NC, Deed Book 3, page 510.
27 Mar 1772
Edward Richardson & Cathrin Richardson to David Vinson, both of Bute Co. 35 Pds. Va. money for 100 A. in Bute Co. on SS Sandy Creek, from mouth of Deep Bottom Branch, across the Bever Dam to line of Williams, land bought from Hezekiah Terrell.
Wit: David Vinson, JR., Ephraim GILLIAM.
Ack: by Edward Richardson, Bute August Court 1772,
Ben McMulloch, C. C.
Reg: 30 October 1772, by Jas. Johnson, P. R.
10th. Feby. 1773 Deld. to Chas. Cook.
Warren County, NC, Deed Book 3, page 511.
7 Jan 1772
Jesse GILLIAM to Gomalen Earle, both of Bute Co. 20 Pds. Va. money for 40 A. in Bute Co. on WS Hendersons Swamp, adj. McMillan, part of a tract taken up by Alexander MacMillan, Sr. Wit: James Baskett, William Duty.
Proved by James Baskett, Bute February Court 1772,
Ben McCulloch. C.C.
Reg: 18 April 1772, by Jas. Johnson, P. R.
12th. Augt. 1772 Deld. to Wm. _arler
Warren County, NC Deed Book 3, page 389.
29 Jul 1773.
Ephraim GILLIAM & Sealer, his wife, to William Stuart, both of Bute Co. 17 Pds: 10 Sh: Va. money for 100 A. in Bute Co., down the Miery Prong, adj. GILLIAM.
Wit: Athur Murphey, Jesse Vinson, James Murphey.
Proved by William Stuart, "a witness thereto", Bute August Court 1774,
Ben McMulloch, C. C.
Reg: 3 October 1774, by James Johnson, P. R.
Warren County, NC, Deed Book 5, page 46.
Grants
13 Jul 1778
Warrant issued 13 July 1778 Marcus Gilliam enters by improvement 640 acres in Bute County on waters of Red Bud adj. Coock old line, Yarbrough’s entry.
Oaths
The Oath
I will bare faithful and true allegiance to the State of North Carolina and will truly endeavor to support maintain and defend the Independent Goverm't thereof against George the third King of Great Britain and his successors and the attempts of any other persons, prince, power, State, or potentate who by secret are treason conspire copies or by open force shall attempt to subject the same and I will in every respect conduct myself as a peaceful orderly subject and that I will disclose and make known to the Governor (or) some member of the Council of State or some Justice of the Superior Courts or of the peace all treason conspiracies and attempts committed or intended
against the State which shall come to my knowledge so help you God.
The Oath had to be administered by justices of their districts to qualify the men to vote for members in the election.
| David Birnett | Philip Boon | William Boon |
| Benjamin Booth | Edward Carlile | Francis Carlile |
| Benjamin Cook | Charles Cook | John Cook |
| James Collins | James Coppedge | Frederick Davis |
| Hollowell Denson | Samuel Duke | Eli Eley |
| Isham Gant | James Gant | Ephraim Gilliam |
| Marcus Gilliam | Joseph Goswick | Tyre Hedgepeth |
| Nicholas Hill | Richd. Hill | Richard Hill (son of Nicholas) |
| Nathan Inguilsh | John Jackson | William Jackson |
| Josiah Johnson | John Leonard | William Leonard |
| William Morriss | William Morse | Arthor Murphey |
| James Murphey | Morgan Murray | William Parker |
| Edward Richardson | William Richardson | Peter Smart |
| William Stuart | David Vinson (Constable) | David Vinson, Sr. |
| Drewry Vinson | Thomas Vinson | William Vinson |
| John Webb | Benjamin west | Aseum Wester |
| Benjamin Westray | Danniell Westray | Francis Wills |
| Britain Wood | James Wood | William Wood |
| Joshua Yarbrough | Micajah Yarbrough |
Wills
Will of Peter Kimbell
26 May 1771
In the Name of God Amen, I, Peter Kimbell, of Bute County in the Province of North Carolina being in Good health and of sound memory, but taking to mind the uncertainty of this Transitory Life and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do constitute and make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following;
And first of all I give my Soul to God who gave it me and my body to Decently buried and for after my Debts and Funeral charges are paid, I bequeath my estate in manner and form following,
that info say that all my Estate both personal and Real shall be Equally Divided between my beloved wife and all my Children. Each one to take their proportion when my youngest child comes to Lawful age;
and thereby Nominate and appoint William Johnson, my Son Buckner Kimbell and Jordan Harris Executors to this my Last Will and Testament
Given under my hand the day and year first above written.
Sig: Peter Kimball
Sealed and Delivered in presence of William Moore, Little Berry White, Susanna Moore
Filed in Warren County, November Court, 1779.
This last will and Testament of Peter Kimbell, Dec'd was prescribed in Court and proved by the oath of Little Berry White one of the Witnesses hereto and the same was ordered to be recorded, William Johnson, one of the Executors refusing to Qualify.
Teste Tho. Machen
Rec: 1779 [?]
Warren County, NC, Will Book 3, page 25
[Peter Kimball was the husband of Winnifred Gilliam, the daughter of William and Agnes Gilliam.]
Sources
- Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779
- Pittman Papers marked Misc. County Records 1774-1804
- Warren County, NC, Will Books
- Warren County, NC, Deed Books