Updated November 25, 2022
Background
Franklin was formed in 1779 from Bute county (which is no longer in existence). It was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. It is in the northeastern section of the State and is bounded by Nash, Wake, Granville, Vance, and Warren counties. The act establishing the county authorized that the first court be held at the home of Benjamin Seawell. The justices were to determine where subsequent courts were to be held until the courthouse could be erected. In 1779 Lewisburg was established on land purchased by the commissioners for the erection of the courthouse. Louisburg is the county seat.
Overview
The earliest Gilliams of Franklin County (Marcus and Ephraim were in Franklin by 1780) originate in Albemarle Parish, Surry and Sussex Counties, VA and are the descendants of Walter Gilliam and Sarah, his wife. The last name of Sarah has traditionally been given as Bolling. I doubt that Sarah was a Bolling. As there are no known Bolling/Gilliam connections to these Albemarle Parish Gilliams. Second, the names of the children of Walter and Sarah are not used by the Bollings. Third, the Bollings have been very well documented because of the supposed connection to Pocahontas and there is no mention of such a Sarah in Bolling genealogies.
I have an in appears that Sarah maybe a Foster or Collier. Walter Gilliam's Will is witnessed by Burrell Gilliam, William Hutchings, Arthur Foster. Sarah and Walter named their firstborn Arthur. Arthur Foster who witnessed Walter’s Will had a sister named Sarah. The estate of Arthur Gilliam, son of Walter and Sarah, was appraised by Moses Foster. Marcus Gilliam, son of Walter and Sarah, is mentioned with John Foster in the guardian accounts of the orphans of Lewis Hill. Thomas Gilliam, the brother of Walter, bordered that of Moses Foster. Arthur Foster was the son of John Foster and Mary Fort. Arthur Foster married Martha Collier.
Walter Gilliam's son, Drury married a Sarah and after Drury Gilliam's death, his widow Sarah married Sampson Collier. The Colliers also use the name Drury and Nathaniel—names used by Walter and Sarah Gilliam. Sampson Collier was particularly kind to Sarah's Gilliam children. He made special provisions for them in his Will.
Census
1790
Ephraim Gilliam
Number of Free White Males Under 16: 2
Number of Free White Males 16 and Over: 1
Number of Free White Females: 1
Number of Slaves : 1
Number of Household Members: 5
Ancestry.com. Year: 1790; Census Place: , Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: M637_7; Page: 36; Image: 35; Family History Library Film: 0568147.
Marcus Gilliam
Number of Free White Males Under 16: 2
Number of Free White Males 16 and Over: 1
Number of Free White Females: 4
Number of Household Members: 7
Ancestry.com. Year: 1790; Census Place: , Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: M637_7; Page: 36; Image: 35; Family History Library Film: 0568147.
Nathl Gilliam
Number of Free White Males Under 16: 3
Number of Free White Males 16 and Over: 1
Number of Free White Females: 2
Number of Household Members: 6
Ancestry.com. Year: 1790; Census Place: , Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: M637_7; Page: 36; Image: 35; Family History Library Film: 0568147.
1800
Joshua Gillam
Township: Louisburg
Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females Under 10 : 4
Free White Females 16 to 25 : 1
Number of Household Members Under 16 : 4
Number of Household Members Over 25 : 1
Number of Household Members: 6
Ancestry.com. Year: 1800; Census Place: Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 453; Image: 411; Family History Library Film: 337907.
[Joshua is listed adjacent to Martha Roe. Interestingly in Albemarle Parish, a Martha Clanton married William Roe and had a son Drury, a given name used by this line. William Roe’s sister, also Martha, married Charles Gilliam]
William Gillam
Township: Louisburg
Free White Males Under 10: 2
Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females Under 10 : 1
Free White Females 26 to 44 : 1
Number of Household Members Under 16 : 3
Number of Household Members Over 25 : 2
Number of Household Members: 5
Ancestry.com. Year: 1800; Census Place: Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 477; Image: 415; Family History Library Film: 337907.
[This entry appears to be a duplication of the entry on page 453, the enumeration is nearly identical.]
Joshua Gillam
Township: Louisburg
Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females Under 10 : 4
Free White Females 26 to 44 : 1
Number of Household Members Under 16 : 4
Number of Household Members Over 25 : 2
Number of Household Members: 6
Ancestry.com. Year: 1800; Census Place: Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 458; Image: 416; Family History Library Film: 337907.
[This entry appears to be a duplication of the entry on page 453, the enumeration is nearly identical.]
Marcus Gillam
Township: Louisburg
Free White Males 45 and Over : 1
Free White Females 10 to 15 : 1
Free White Females 26 to 44 : 1
Free White Females 45 and Over : 1
Number of Slaves: 2
Number of Household Members Under 16 : 1
Number of Household Members Over 25 : 3
Ancestry.com. Year: 1800; Census Place: Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 476; Image: 435; Family History Library Film: 337907.
[Marcus is listed on page 476, just three names prior to Drury’s and William’s on page 477]
Drury Gillam
Township: Louisburg
Free White Males Under 10: 1
Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females Under 10 : 3
Free White Females 26 to 44 : 1
Number of Household Members Under 16 : 4
Number of Household Members Over 25 : 2
Number of Household Members: 6
Ancestry.com. Year: 1800; Census Place: Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 477; Image: 436; Family History Library Film: 337907.
[Listed adjacent to William Gilliam, below]
William Gillam
Township: Louisburg
Free White Males Under 10: 1
Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females Under 10 : 1
Free White Females 26 to 44 : 1
Number of Slaves: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16 : 2
Number of Household Members Over 25 : 2
Number of Household Members: 5
Ancestry.com. Year: 1800; Census Place: Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 477; Image: 436; Family History Library Film: 337907.
Samson Gillam
Township: Louisburg
County: Franklin
Free White Males Under 10: 2
Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females Under 10 : 1
Free White Females 10 to 15 : 1
Free White Females 16 to 25 : 1
Number of Household Members Under 16 : 4
Number of Household Members Over 25 : 1
Number of Household Members: 6
Ancestry.com. Year: 1800; Census Place: Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 488; Image: 447; Family History Library Film: 337907.
Ephraim Gillam
Township: Louisburg
Free White Males 45 and Over : 1
Free White Females 16 to 25 : 1
Free White Females 45 and Over : 1
Number of Slaves: 3
Number of Household Members Over 25 : 2
Number of Household Members: 6
Ancestry.com. Year: 1800; Census Place: Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 31; Page: 489; Image: 448; Family History Library Film: 337907.
[Sampson is listed on page 488, just two names prior to Ephraim’s on page 489]
1810
Drury Gillam
Free White Males Under 10: 1
Free White Males 10 to 15: 1
Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females Under 10: 2
Free White Females 10 to 15: 3
Free White Females 26 to 44: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16: 7
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 9
Ancestry.com. Year: 1810; Census Place: , Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 40; Page: 797; Family History Number: 0337913; Image: 00168.
William Gillam
Free White Males Under 10: 1
Free White Males 10 to 15: 1
Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females Under 10: 3
Free White Females 10 to 15: 1
Free White Females 26 to 44: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16: 6
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 8
Ancestry.com. Year: 1810; Census Place: , Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 40; Page: 798; Family History Number: 0337913; Image: 00169.
[William is listed on page 798, immediately following Drury’s on page 797]
Nancy Gillam
Free White Males 10 to 15: 2
Free White Females 26 to 44: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16: 2
Number of Household Members Over 25: 1
Number of Household Members: 3
Ancestry.com. Year: 1810; Census Place: , Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 40; Page: 817; Family History Number: 0337913; Image: 00188.
Ephraim Gillam
Free White Males Under 10: 1
Free White Males 45 and Over: 1
Free White Females 10 to 15: 1
Free White Females 45 and Over: 1
Numbers of Slaves: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16: 2
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 5
Ancestry.com. Year: 1810; Census Place: , Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 40; Page: 818; Family History Number: 0337913; Image: 00189.
Marcus Gillam
Free White Males 45 and Over: 1
Free White Females 45 and Over: 1
Numbers of Slaves: 4
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 6
Ancestry.com. Year: 1810; Census Place: , Franklin, North Carolina; Roll: 40; Page: 818; Family History Number: 0337913; Image: 00189.
[List adjacent to Ephraim Gilliam above].
Court Orders
March Court 1786.
A deed from Marcus Gilliam to James Murphy was proved by the Oath of William Leonard
page 11.
A deed from Marcus Gilliam to William Leonard was proved by James Murphy
page 8
December Court 1786
A Deed from William Lenard to James Wood was proved by the Oath of Ephraim Gilliam and on Motion Ordered to be Registered.
page 393.
Minutes of September Court 1797
Orderd that Drewry Gilliam Marcus Gilliam William Leonard Parker Murphey Arthur Murphy John Leonard, Richard Hill, Richard Hill, William White Josiah Thomas, James Collins, Henry Collins, Shea. Bass, Charles Gant, Josiah White [?], Francis Wills, John
Robbins, Lewis Webb, Benjamin Conner [?] Warren Bass James Vinson David Vinson, James Collins, Senr. and Stephen Gupton be appointed a Jury to mark and Lay off if they think necessary a Road from the County line near Great Shocco Creek to Nash County line near Portis's and report to next Court.
Minutes of December Court 1800
A Deed from Marcus Gilliam to Frederick Lenord was acknowledged in open Court
Minutes of September Court 1817
Ordered that administration on the estate of Marcus Gilliam deceased, be granted to Drury Gilliam, who entered into Bond in the sum of $1000 with Parker Murphy, William Leonard and Isaac Gupton his Securities
Minutes of September Court 1817
Ordered that the administrator of Marcus Gilliam deceased, sell the perishable estate of his intestate, according to Law, and report
Deeds
2 Feb 1780
Wm. Stuart of Franklin Co. to John Leonard of same, Feb 2, 1780, tract of 100a beginning at black gum on the Miry Prong and adj. Wm. Leonard & Ephraim Gilliam.
Wit: John Warren Jackson, Wm. Leonard
Franklin County, NC, Deed Book 1, p71
7 Jun 1780
Wm. Stuart, James Carr witnessed deed of Robt Carr and wife, Mary Carr of Franklin Co. NC to Marquis Gilliam of same June 7, 1780, 300a adj. Vinson
Franklin County, NC, Deed Book 5, p10
7 Feb 1789
Mary Noakes of Franklin County to James Murphey of same 7 Feb 1789 for 60 pds. a tract of 270 acres adjoining Marcus Gilliam's
old line, John Leonard, James Murphey and Vinson.
Wit: Solomon Dosey, Arthur Murphey.
Franklin County, NC, Deed Book ____, p ____
23 Apr 1794
Deed of gift from Sarah Gilliam of Southampton Co. VA to her son, Marcus Gilliam of Franklin Co. NC, April 23, 1794, Negro girl Violet, a gift of her deceased husband, Walter Gilliam, late of Southampton Co. VA.
Wit: William Stuart
Franklin County, NC, Deed Book 10, p122
[This deed demonstrates that Sarah Gilliam is the widow of Walter Gilliam of Southampton County, VA and, though a son Marcus is not mentioned in the Will of Walter, Sarah calls Marcus, her son.]
Henry Brackin to Edmond Gilliam
17 Jun 1802
This indenture made this seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and two between Henry Brackin of the county of orange and State of north Carolina of the one part and Edmond Gilliam of the county of Guilford, of the other part witnesseth that the said Henry Brackin for and in consideration of the sum of nineteen hundred dollars to ___ in hand paid by the said Edmond Gilliam the receipt whereof the said Henry Brackin doth hereby acknowledge hath granted, bargained and sold and by these present do give, grant, bargain and sell enfeoff and confirm unto the said Edmond Gilliam his heirs and assigns forever, all that ___ tract or parcel of land and premises situate lying and being in one said County of Orange on the north side of Haw River beginning at a beech on the north bank of said River running thence east thirty three chains and thirty four links to the center of pointers thence north thirty four chains and fifty links to a red oak thence thirty one chains and sixty eight links to a gum thence south seventy four chains and fifty links to a red oak on the bank of said River thence up the meanders of said River to the beginning containing two hundred and thirty one acres be the same more or less and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders, rents and thereof and also all the estate right, title, claim, and demand whatsoever as well in equity as in law ____ to have and to hold the above said premises to the said Edmond Gilliam his heirs and assigns forever and the said Henry Brackin for himself his heirs, Executors and administrators do covenant to and with the said Edmond Gilliam, his heirs and assigns forever, to warrant and defend the above said premises with all the appurtenances to the said land belonging with all improvements of every description whatsoever from all and every person or persons whatsoever whereof the said Henry Brackin hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year first above written.
Sig: Henry Brackin
In presence of us
Wit: Isaac Brackin, Senr, William Brackin
Orange County February Term 1804,
The execution of the within deed was duly proved in open court by the oath of Isaac Brackin, Senr, a subscribing witness thereunto and ordered to be rejected.
Teste John Taylor
Inquest
Inquest into death of Robert Acres]:
"An inquisition indented at John Leonards in the said County of Franklin the 12th day of March in the year of our Lord 1803 before Jordan Thomas one of the Coroners of and in said county upon the view of the body of Robert Acres then and there lying dead upon the oath of twelve good and lawful men of the county aforesaid who being sworn and charged to inquire on the part of the State aforesaid when and where and in what manner the said Robert Acres came to his death do say upon their oaths that the said Robert Acres on the 6th daya of March 1803 came to John Leonards & there continued drunk until 11th day of said month & in the morning was found dead in the floor & we believe drinking was the cause of his death whereunto we a jurors have put our names----John Watkins, Brittain Wood, Arthur Murphy, Benjamin Barnes, Ephraim Gilliam, Stephen Gupton, Jordan Denson, Parker Murphy, Drury Gilliam, James Davis, Benjamin Stewart, Jesse Gupton.There is no property to be found to discharge the fees of this inquistion. Jord. Thomas, Coro.",
Franklin County, NC, Will Book B, page 153.
Marriages
20 Feb 1796
Sampson Gilliam to Drucilla Hill, Bondsman Robert Coggin, Witness G. Hill, Jr., Deputy Clerk
6 Mar 1822
Sarah Leonard married a Ephraim Gilliam, Jr, Witness James Murphey
7 Dec 1823
William Collins and Temperance Gilliam, Witness Byrd Murphey
13 Jul 1826
Byrd Murphey to Leacy Gilliam
22 Feb 1832
Nathaniel Gilliam to Milly Westray
14 Jan 1841
James Gilliam to Jane Stallings
17 Nov 1854
James Gilliam to Mary Ann Collins. Witness John J. Murphey
Wills
Dec 1794
Sale of Estate of Edward Carlile dec'd. December, 1794.
Buyers were Elisha Lankford, Jas Carlile, John Ross, David Moore, John Hall, Robert Coggin, Atheston Andrews, Rob't Adams, Richd. Ransom, Jas. Stallings, Jas. Leonard, Wright Stallings, Green Andrews, Matthew Simmons, Thos. Griggs, John Johnston, Jordan Jones, Churll. Anderson, Jas. Collins, David Mabry, Thos. Crocker, Benjamin Westray, Peterson Person, John Carr, Selah Gilliam, Eley Eley, John Leonard, Lewis Moore, Exum Westray, William Morris, Simon Westray, Robt. Cooper, Ephraim Gilliam, Jas. Jones, Arthur Murphy, John Johnson, Jas. Davis, Sally Graves, Jno. Carr, William Bridges, Elisha Carey, Eley Eley, Jr., Robert Carr, Josiah Eley, Jas. Byrd, Wm Gant, Jas. Brantley.
Exor: Eley Eley and Lewis Moore execrs.
Bradley, Jr., Stephen E., Franklin County, NC, Will Book A, 1785-1797 Wills Estates Records, Guardian Accounts.” 1988 South Boston, VA.. page 38
Franklin County, NC, Will Book ___, page 175
Undated. [abt 1795]
Sale of estate of Elizabethy Jonnakin decd.
Buyers were
Benjamin Cook, William Morris, James Vinson, Drewry GILLOM, John Watkins, Henry Collins, James Upchurch, David Sawyers, Nat GILLOM, Parker Murphy, Titus Edwards, Henry James.
Joseph Jones execr.
Franklin County, NC, Will Book ___, page 179
1797-1798
Guardian account or orphans of Lewis HILL dec'd. by Richd. HILL guardian.
Persons mentioned: Green HILL, John HALL, Richard HILL, Gilliam WATKINS, Thomas BASS, Athelston ANDREWS, Henry HILL, Robert COOPER, John JOHNSTON, James HUNT, Oran BASS, Lewis WEBB, Solomon HARRIS, John FOSTER, Micajah WELLS, Parker MURFREE, Frederick LEONARD, Sr., William KIRBY, Gray ANDREWS, Stephen GUPTON, William BRIDGES, David SEARS, Frederick DAVIS, Thomas STOKES, John WELLS, James DAVIS, Henry COLLINS, William GILLIAM, William MORRISS, Henry COLLINS, John WATKINS, Theophilus BASS, Marcus GILLIAM, Averit HIDE, William Clanton HILL.
Examined March 15, 1798 by James GRAY, Thomas BRICKELL.
Franklin County, NC, Will Book ___, page 211
21 Aug 1800
Dower of Rebecca Murfree.
Widow of James Murphee. 115 acres, bounds described mentioning William Leonard's line. August 21, 1800.
Jurors were Robert L. Whitaker, Jordan Thomas, John Watkins, Aron Bledsoe, William Barnes, James Collins, Baxter Ragsdale, Laurence Eley, Jno. Huckaby, Richd. Hill, Wm. Collins, Drury GILLIAM.
Franklin County, NC, Will Book ___, page 192
22 May 1815
Last Will and Testament of James Collins
In the name of God Amen, I James Collins of Franklin County being Sound of mind and Perfect in memory (Blessed be God) do this Twenty second day of May 1815 make constitute and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following Viz:
Item, I lend to my beloved Esther Collins during her natural life, all my lands and property of every kind whatsoever; and after her death it is my will and desire that the whole of my Estate of every kind whatsoever should be sold and the monies arising from the sale thereof should be equally divided between my children and grandchildren in the following manner Viz
Item, To James Collins, William Collins, Henry Collins, Elisha Collins, Dixon Collins (Son of Esther Gilliam) and William Collins son of David Collins each half a share.
Item, To Whitney Collins and Elisha Collins, (sons of Jesse Collins) each half a share.
Item To James Collins and Milley Collins Children of David Collins half a share each.
Item, To Doctor Murphey son of Parker Murphey a full share.
And I do hereby nominate and appoint my Sons James Collins and William Collins Executors to this my last will and Ttestament. In witness whereof I have set my hand & Seal the day and year first above written.
Sig: James [his X mark] Collins
Wit: Derham Hill, Van Leonard
P.S. It is further my desire that my Exors above mentioned should act as Guardians for my grand children until they arrive at full age or of lawful age to choose for themselves. Witness my hand & seal the day and date written.
Sig: James [his X mark] Collins
Wit: Derham Hill, Van Leonard
Franklin County, NC, Will Book F, folio 238
[James makes bequests to “children and grandchildren.” It appears that a son married an Esther and they had Dixon Collins, and that the son has predeceased his father and Esther has remarried a Mr. Gilliam whose identity is not known at this time. Son William Collins, married in 1823, Temperance Gilliam.]
25 Sep 1817
A List of articles sold at the Sale of Marcus Gilliam’s Acct
Will of Ephraim GILLIAM
June 1830
In the name of God, amen I Ephraim Gilliam of Franklin County and State of North Carolina being now of sound mind and disposing memory doth make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, to wit.
I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sally Gilliam all my property of every description both personal and real during her widowhood but if my said wife Sally shall ever marry, that then my negro woman named Charity and her child named Mariah shall go to my father Drury Gilliam, during his natural life and at his death the said Charity and Mariah with all their increase to be divided into then equal shares.
I give my brother D. Lofton Gilliam one share, to my sister Betsy one hare, to my sister Sally one share, to my sister Tisha, and the other two share and give unto the hand of my friend David Sills as a trustee to hold and that for the benefit of my other two sisters equally, Patience Leonard and Easter Denny to be by my said friend and trustee paid out to them as they may need and give them ordered for the use only of them and their children and further my will is that if my said wife Sally shall marry that them all the rest of my property shall be sold at publick sale and the money arising from said sale (I mean both real and personal) to be devised as follows one half to my said wife Sally Gilliam as her and her heirs forever, and the other half to go the same way that Charity and Mariah and their increase as ______ and ____ to go but if my said wife Sally never marrys my desire is that all my property be with her to dispose of as she may think proper.
And lastly I constitute and appoint my loving wife Sally Gilliam and my friend Joseph J Williams, Executrix and Executor to this my last Will and Testament
Signed and seal this fifth day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine (1829).
Sig: Ephraim [his X mark] Gilliam
Witness: D. Sills, Jurat, Solomon Williams Jurat, John C. Davis
Franklin County, June Session 1830
I hereby certify that the foregoing Will was exhibited in open Court for probate and the execution thereof duly proven by the oaths of David Sills and Solomon Williams two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and was a motion ordered to be recorded and filed.
Test S. Patterson, Clk
Franklin County, NC, Will Book J, page 100
Will of James GILLIAM
1889
Franklin County, NC, Will Book U, page 475
Will of Isly GILLIAM
1898
Franklin County, NC, Will Book V, page 156
Sources
- Franklin County, NC, Deed Book
- Franklin County, NC, Will Book