Updated November 25, 2022
Background
Both the county and its county seat, the town of Abbeville, were named for the French town of the same name. Originally part of Ninety-Six District, the area was designated as Abbeville County in 1785. Parts of Abbeville later went to form Greenwood (1897) and McCormick (1916) counties. The county was settled primarily by Scotch-Irish and French Huguenot farmers in the mid-eighteenth century. A historic treaty with the Cherokee Indians was signed at Dewitt's Corner (now Due West) in 1777. Abbeville was known as a hotbed of secession, and at the end of the Civil War the last Confederate council of war was held there.
Overview
David Gilliam who left a Will dated 12 Mar 1838 settled in Abbeville. David, son of Charles Gilliam and Jemima Harris, is mentioned in Will of Nathaniel Harris “as grandson.”
Census
1810
Robt Gillam
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
Numbers of Slaves: 2
Number of Household Members Under 16: 2
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 6
Ancestry.com. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Abbeville, Abbeville, South Carolina; Roll: 60; Page: 123
William Gillam
Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females Under 10: 1
Free White Females 16 to 25: 1
Number of All Other Free Persons: 1
Numbers of Slaves: 13
Number of Household Members Under 16: 1
Number of Household Members Over 25: 1
Number of Household Members: 17
Ancestry.com. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Abbeville, Abbeville, South Carolina; Roll: 60; Page: 10
David Gillam
Free White Males Under 10: 1
Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
Free White Females Under 10: 2
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. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Abbeville, Abbeville, South Carolina; Roll: 60; Page: 114
1820
David Gillam
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Males - Under 10: 1
Free White Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Females - Under 10: 2
Free White Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 3
Slaves - Males - Under 14: 1
Slaves - Males - 26 thru 44: 1
Slaves - Females - Under 14: 2
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 3
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 5
Total Slaves: 5
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 10
Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Abbeville, Abbeville, South Carolina, Page: 50; NARA Roll: M33_118; Image: 63.
Robert Gillam
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Males - Under 10: 1
Free White Males - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Males - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Females - Under 10: 2
Free White Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 3
Slaves - Males - Under 14: 1
Slaves - Males - 14 thru 25: 1
Slaves - Males - 26 thru 44: 1
Slaves - Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 5
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total Slaves: 4
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 11
Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Abbeville, Abbeville, South Carolina, Page: 49; NARA Roll: M33_118; Image: 62.
James Gillam
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Males - Under 10: 1
Free White Males - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Males - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Females - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 5
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 9
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 9
Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Abbeville, Abbeville, South Carolina, Page: 24; NARA Roll: M33_118; Image: 36
Robert Gillum
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Males - Under 10: 1
Free White Males - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Males - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Females - Under 10: 2
Free White Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 5
Slaves - Males - Under 14: 1
Slaves - Males - 14 thru 25: 1
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total Slaves: 3
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 10
Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Abbeville, Abbeville, South Carolina, Page: 68; NARA Roll: M33_118; Image: 81
Deeds
14 Oct 1788
John Martin of York County, S. C., conveys to Thomas Woods of York County, S. C., for £.120, sterling, a piece of land in Ninety-Six District, Abbeville County, on Eighteen Mile Creek, waters of Savannah River, containing 399 acres, granted to John Martin by Gov. William Moultrie 6 Mar. 1786.
Jacob Black
John Black
John Martin
Sworn in York County 16 Sept. 1789 by Jacob Black before Thomas Gilham, J. P.
Pendleton County, South Carolina, Conveyance Book A, 1790-1792, Pages 176-177.
SCMAR, Vol. III, Spring 1975, No. 2, p. 83
Marriages
16 Aug 1831
Married on the 16th instant by the Rev. John Porter, Dr. William Moore of Newberry to Miss Susan Caroline Gillam, daughter of Capt. James Gillam of Abbeville District (Aug. 27, 1831).
[Moore should read Moon. Susan married Dr. William Meredith Moon]
Marriage and Obituary Notices from the Columbia Free Press and Hive
SCMAR, Vol. I, Spring 1973, No. 2, p.98
Wills
6 Sep 1783
Estate of John Gilliam
We Robert Gillam, Esq., and Robert Richey are bound unto John Thomas, Jr., Esq. Ord. in the sum of £2000 sterling dated 6 Sep 1783. 96 District. To John Saterwhite, William Calwell, John McGin, you are impower to make an inventory of goods and chattels of John Gillam, decd. This 6 Sep 1783
Sig: John Thomas
Ord Sale held 4 Oct 1783
Buyers Robert Richey, Thomas Pitts, Joshua Gillam . . .
[Though filed with Abbeville Estates. The Estate was recorded in the Ninety Six District. See Ninety Six District for complete transcription.]
22 Nov 1831
Will of Nathan Chaney
“To son Simeon Chaney . . . at a corner near the school house on James Gillam’s land . . .”
Names indexed:
Nathan Chaney,
Robert Chaney,
Simeon Chaney
Thomas Chaney
Peter Cheatham,
William Eddins
James Gilliam
Joseph Hill
Daniel Hitt
James T. Levingston
William Ward
Abbeville County, SC, Will Book 2, page 297, Box 18, page 384
12 Mar 1838
Will of David Gillam
The last Will and Testament of David Gillam of the District of Abbeville witnesseth, that he is of sound mind and disposing memory and has thought proper to make the following assignment and distribution of his effect viz
First, It is my Will and desire that as soon as practicable after my decease that a sufficiency of my personal estate be sold, as may be necessary for the payment of my just debts and that my executors select the kind of property which an best be spared.
Second, it is my will that each of my children have a cow and calf and a bed and furniture as that may arrive at age or marry and that my son Harrie Gillam have choice of the bedsteads among my house hold furniture.
Third It is my Will that all the balance of my estate both real and personal, be kept subject to the control and management of my executors, for the support of my wife and daughter Rebecca Gillam and should my wife survive until Rebecca shall arrive at age or marry, it is my will that the property then left to their enjoyment should be equally divided between them either by sale or division which said share shall go my said daughter Rebecca Gillam to her and the lawful heirs of her body forever. Or should my said wife die before Rebecca should become of age, marry, the portion or share of said property above allotted to her shall there be set apart to her in the way and manner above directed.
Fourth, It is my will that the property above Will to my wife during her natural life shall at her death be sold and equally divided among my children (except Rebecca whose part has been before defined) to their and their lawful heirs of their body forever
Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend James Gillam and Robert C. Gillam Executors of this my last Will and Testament given under my hand and seal this 12 day of March AD 1838
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of J. R. Boulware, James Owens, Jas. Gillam
Proven by the oath of Jas. R. Boulware 1842 and qualified James Gillam, and Robt Gillam as Executors same day.
David Lesly, O AD
Abbeville Country, SC, Wills, 1837-1855, Vol. 03, page 42
22 Apr 1839
Will of Peter Cheatham
Names indexed:
T. R. Bowlwan,
William Carter
Frances Cheatham
Jackson Cheatham
James Cheatham
Lucy Cheatham
Peter Cheatham
Richard Cheatham
Henry C. Culbreath
James Gillam
Exe: Son Richard Cheatham and “best friend” James Gillam
Abbeville County, SC, Box 23, page 513
8 Jun 1840
Will of John Fooshee
Names indexed:
Calhoun
Chatham
Cunningham
Moss Eddins
Charles B. Fooshee
Charles W. Fooshee
Joel Fooshee
John Fooshee
John W. Fooshee
Martha Jane Fooshee
Robert Fooshee
David Gillam
Griffin Goulding
Heard
Johnson
Louisa Logan
Nathaniel McCants
Henrietta Richardson
John Sadler
John N. Sample
Joel Smith
Watkins
Wit: David Gillam, John Sadler, Nathl McCants
Abbeville County, SC, Box 35, page 753
28 Mar 1841
Will of Thomas G. Williamson
Names indexed:
James R. Boulware
James R. Foster
James Gillam
Robert C. Gillam
Sarah C. Gillam
James Williamson
Susan C. Williamson
Thomas G. Williamson
Abbeville County, SC, Box 102, page 2523
[Thomas G. Williamson married Susan Caroline Gillam, daughter of James Gillam and Susan C. Satterwhite]
2 Oct 1875
Will of James Gillam
The last Will and Testament of James Gillam of the state and county aforesaid witnesseth that being of sound mind and disposing memory has thought proper to make the following distributions and arrangements of his effect viz
First
It is my will and desire that all my estate both real and personal except so much as is herein designated be sold at the discretion of my executors and all my notes and accounts be collected and after paying my just debts the whole be summed up and equally divided into six equal parts and distributed as follows:
One part to Susan Rudd’s children except Meredith Gillam wife of Louis M. Gillam she having received many years ago a very large legacy from me
One part to Elizabeth Hill
One part to Mary S. Gillam, wife of my son Robert C. Gillam
One part to Cornelia Holland’s surviving children including the son of Carrie Law
One part to the children of James M. Gillam decd
One part to Sallie C. Anderson,
giving one share to each family
Second
It is my will and desire that Elizabeth Hill have the homestead place where she now live and the children of Cornelia Holland have the cottage home place which has been deeded to them over and above their shares from the common fund
Third
It is my will and desire that in as much as the certainties of the late War have swept our property from us and thus made it impossible to equalize the share as was intended that my former distribution of shares among my children be entirely and is hereby entirely ignored and have nothing to do with this direction
Fourth
It is my will and desire that in summing up the items of my estate that all the articles contained in Mrs. Gillam’s Will which I wrote for her on the 9th day of July 1867 and therein enumerated and the most of which have been delivered be excepted and also one bedstead, mattress and furniture to Miss Harriet Maxwell, to Miss Anne Whaley also feather bed which I desire to give Miss Anne Whaley with bolsters and pillows also a bedstead in the garret with a mattress, a pair of sheets and one while corded counterpane to Lizzy Rykard to also excepted and delivered to them
Fifth
It is my will and desire that my library of books and pamphlets be divided among my legatees and not sold as they may agree among themselves the balance if any be given to the Greenwood Library if the session of the church will accept them
Lastly
I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Robert C. Gillam and Augustus M. Aiken executors of this my last will and Testament
Sig: Jas Gillam
Given under my hand and seal this the 2nd day of October anno domine one thousand eight hundred and seventy five.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John M. Lee, J. Railey, Thomas Duckett
Codicil
It is my will and desire that should Miss Anne Whaley serve me that she receive one hundred dollars of my estate for her attention and kindness to me and should she remain and take care of the household till after the sale that she receive fifty dollars more and should Amanda Conner remain with Anne that she have twenty dollars out of which Anne is to make her a suit of clothes
Given under my hand this the 2 day of October AD one thousand eight hundred seventy five
Sig: Jas Gilliam
Signed, sealed, delivered in the presence of John M. Lee, J. Railey, Thomas Duckett
Box No. 158, File No. 3430 1/2
[Cornelia Gilliam married Dr. John Holland. Their daughter, Carrie, married Henry Lide Law. Their son, James Gillam Law, is the one referred to in the above Will.]
Sources
- Wells, Lawrence K, and Brent H. Holcomb, ed.. South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. 1-20 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 1999. Original data: Wells, Lawrence K., ed.. The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research. Vol. I-XX. Columbia, SC, USA: SCMAR, 1973-1992.