Updated November 25, 2022
Background
Anderson County and its county seat, Anderson, were named for Revolutionary War general Robert Anderson (1741-1812). This region was occupied by the Cherokee Indians until 1777, when it was ceded by treaty to the state. Part of the "Indian Land" became Pendleton District (also called Washington District at one time). The area was given its present name in 1826, when Pendleton District was split into Anderson and Pickens.
Most of the early settlers of this area were Scotch-Irish farmers who moved south from Pennsylvania and Virginia in the eighteenth century. The oldest town in the county is Pendleton, which was founded around 1790; it became a popular summer resort for low country planters in the nineteenth century
Overview
James Clemons Gilham, the son of Ezekiel Gilham married Mary Greer, the daughter of James Greer. James Clemons Gilham’s family removed to Maury County, TN.
Wills
Will of James Greer
26 Jan 1792
In the name of God amen, James Greer of the state of South Carolina, Pendleton County, planter, being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God therefore. Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it, and for my body I recommend it to earth to be buried in a decent Christian manner at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly goods wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner & form viz
It is my will and I do order this in the first place all my just debts and funeral charges to be paid; & discharged
I give and bequeath to my son-in-law John Hambleton & his wife five shillings, &
I do give and bequeath to my so-in-law Jacob GILLIAM, and Mary his wife five shillings, &
I do give and bequeath to Samuel Wiley and wife, Jane, five shillings, and
I do give and bequeath to my grandchild Jane Greer daughter to daughter to my son William Greer five shillings, and
Last of all I do hereby give and bequeath to my daughter Martha, all & singular the lands, messuages & tenements together with all the movable goods, and chattels unto me belonging I do hereby disallow, revoke, and disannul all & every of my former wills and testaments before this time, confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament,
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written
Sig: James Greer
Wit: Thos Henderson, James [his X mark] Campton, Stephen V. Runels
Rec: Apr 1795
Anderson County, SC, Will Book C, page 50.
[Daughter Mary Greer married Jacob Clemons Gilham.]
Sources
Anderson County, SC, Will Book C, page 50.