Will of Reuben Gilliam
Updated November 25, 2022
Background
Reuben G. Gilliam, the son of William Gilliam (Will dated 7 Jan 1816) and Ann Sims, married first Mary Coleman Sims, the daughter of Patrick Henry Sims and Lucy Beaufort. Reuben married secondly Frances Pulaski Moorman, the widow of James Farr. Frances died before Reuben. Her Will is dated 27 July 1855.
Though Reuben’s Will fails to name his children, it does provide valuable information about his nephews, James and Thompson Goree who prove to be the sons of Reuben’s sister Sarah Thompson Gilliam who first married George S. Noland and married secondly Redden Gore. Redden is the son of Josiah Goree and Leanna Ashford. Redden and Sarah’s graves may be found at Enoree Baptist Church Cemetery. It appears that Reuben kindly remembered Sarah’s sons for both their parents died with one month of each other in the spring of 1843.
27 Jul 1858
South Carolina
Newberry District
Personally appeared before me Joseph Caldwell, Dr. Thomas B. Rutherford and Robert Gilliam, who being duly sworn say that Reuben Gilliam, late of the District and State aforesaid in his last will and in his own house on Monday evening the 19th day of July last in presence of these deponents made the following disposition of his estate and effects to which he bid them be witnesses
I (meaning the said Reuben Gilliam) wish you (meaning his children) to divide all my property amongst you (meaning all his children) and those of you who get more than the others before, must take less so as to make all equal and this is as good a Will as I can make and here and these as respectable men as the district affords (meaning these deponents) that the deponent Joseph Caldwell, and Thomas B. Rutherford withdraw from the room whereas the aid Reuben Gilliam was lying into the Piazza: the deponent Robert Gilliam remaining in the room who says that the said Reuben Gilliam asked that the said Joseph Caldwell and Thomas B. Rutherford should be called in to him again and when they came in he the said Robert Gilliam said to all them of these deponents that he wised to make a gift of the negro girls to is two nephews in the following language: “I (meaning the said Reuben Gilliam” give James (meaning his nephew James Goree) Emeline and Thompson meaning nephew Thompson Goree) Amana, but in the case of the death of either or both without leaving children the negro girls given to such nephews to return to said Reuben Gilliam’s children and not to go to the other brother and in the event that both dying without leaving children then both said Negros to return to his children.
The said Reuben Gilliam died without any written will on the twenty seventh day of July AD 1858 and this is reduced to writing on the second day of August following within six days after the death of the said Reuben Gilliam.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2 August 1858
Wit: Joseph Caldwell, Robert G. Gilliam, and Thomas B. Rutherford.
Burl Ramage, Clerk and Ex Officio Magistr ND
Ordinary Office, Newberry District
I certify that the above nuncupative Will of Reuben Gilliam decd was admitted to probate by the oaths of Joseph Caldwell, Robert G. Gilliam and Thomas B. Rutherford
October 29th 1858
E P Lake, OND
South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977, Newberry District, SC, Wills book, 1840-1885, Volume 2, pages 323-324, Image 200 of 255
Sources