Updated December 25, 2023
Background
Laurens County and its county seat, Laurens, were named for Revolutionary War leader Henry Laurens (1724-1792). The county was established in 1785 as a part of Ninety Six District.
This part of the state was settled primarily by Scotch-Irish and English immigrants in the mid 1700s, and during the American Revolution quite of few of its residents remained loyal to Great Britain. Several Revolutionary War battles were fought in the county, including the battle of Musgrove's Mill (August 18, 1780).
Overview
Family of Robert Gilliam and Jane Smith, his wife, and that of Charles Gilliam may be found in Laurens County. Charles hails from Charlotte County, VA and later removes to Franklin County, TN
Deeds
1784
Indenture
Harris Gilliam
Laurens County, SC, Register of Deeds A, 1785-1786, page ___
1785
Indenture
Harris Gilliam
Laurens County, SC, Register of Deeds A, 1785-1786, page ___
1791-1793
Indenture
Robert Gilliam, Esqr.
Laurens County, SC, Register of Mesne Conveyance: Vol. D, 1791-1793, page ___
1791-1793
Indenture
Robert Gilliam, Esqr.
Laurens County, SC, Register of Mesne Conveyance: Vol. D, 1791-1793, page ___
1791-1793
Indenture
Robert Gilliam
Laurens County, SC, Register of Mesne Conveyance: Vol. D, 1791-1793, page ___
1791-1793
Indenture
Robert Gilliam, Esqr.
Laurens County, SC, Register of Mesne Conveyance: Vol. D, 1791-1793, page ___
1798
Charles Henderson and wife, Edy, to Edward Harris for 110 pds sterling, 150 acres on Warrior Creek bordered at time of survey on Wm Vaughan, part of original grant in 1771 to John Cox.
Wit: Charles Gilliam; David Gibson, John Coker, J.P.
Laurens County, SC, Deed Book F, page 357
1807, 1811
David Gibson to Charles Gilliam for $400, 200 acres on Mountain Creek of Raburns Creek bordered on Francis Coker, Moore, Wolffe, part of original grant to John Hunter conveyed to Benjamin Camp to Robert Coker to David Gibson
Wit: John Coker; Abram Studdard. Charles Allen, J.P.
Laurens County, SC, Deed Book J, page 219
1809
Moses Morriss to Charles Gilliam for $200, 100 acres on Mountain Creek bordered on Charles Gilliam; Francis and Drury Coker; John Thomason; Isreal Eastwood; John Coker; original grant to John Hunter conveyed to Benjamin Camp to George Thomason to John Armstrong to said Moses Morriss.
Wit: B. Nabors; Harris Gilliam. Stephen Garrett, J.P.
Laurens County, SC, Deed Book J, page 68
1810, 1811
John Coker to Charles Gilliam for $250, 150 acres on Middle Fork of Mountain Creek waters of Raburn Creek bordered on David Studdard; J. F. Wolffe, part of original grant to David Browning 1773, conveyed to Edward Arnold to Isreal Eastwood to John Coker.
Wit: J. F. Wolff; Thomas Wright. Charles Allen, J.P.
Sabra, wife of John Coker, relinquished her right of dower.
Laurens County, SC, Deed Book J, page 219
Deed: Charles Gilliam to John P Wolff
13 Mar 1813 • Laurens County, SC
145 acres, Mountain Creek, waters of Rabourn, adj John F Wolff, David Studdard, Sr, Gideon Thomason, James Henderson, and Garlington Coker. Wit: Saxon and Lydell. Sarah Gilliam, dower.
Laurens County, SC, Deed Book K, p103
Wills
23 Apr 1858
Will of Jane Gilliam
South Carolina
In the name of God Amen, I Jane Gilliam of Laurence [sic] District being of sound and disposing mind but weak in body and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with do make and ordain this my said will in the following manner viz
First, I desire that all my just debts and burial expenses be respectfully paid out of my estate
Second And I desire that all my property be sold at my death and all that remain over my burial expenses to be appropriate to the rise of walling in the graveyard of the Chapman and Gilliam family
Third and lastly I do hereby appoint John H. Hill and Edward Waid [?} my Executors of this my last Will and Testament whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this April 23rd 1858
Signed, sealed and declared as and for the last will and Testament of the above named Jane Gilliam in the presence of us
Sig: Jane [her X mark] Gilliam
Teste: J. F. [?] Peterson, William Gibson, John R. Profitt
Personally came before me John R. Proffitt and made oath that he saw Jane Gilliam execure the wintin instrument as and for her last Will and testament and that he together with W. F. Peterson and Wm Gibson signed as witnesses to the same in the presence of each other and in the presence of the Testatrix
Sig: J. R. Proffitt
Sworn to before me May 25th 1858
W N Langston
Laurens County, SC, Probate Court, Estate papers1800-1931, Box 129, Package 14 - Box 132, Package 9
Sources
- Laurens County, SC, Deed Books
- Laurens County, SC, Probate Court, Estate papers1800-1931, Box 129, Package 14 - Box 132, Package 9
- Laurens County, SC, Register of Mesne Conveyance