Updated November 25, 2022
In the name of God amen, I, Robert GILLAM, of South Carolina and Newberry County being in firm in body but in perfect memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in form following that is to say I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my executors and as touching such worldly estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with I will and bequeath in the following manner and form:
I lend to my wife Mary GILLAM during her natural life one Negro wench, named Sinder, one girl daughter of Sinder, named Sin and the remainder part of the Edmon Ellises tract of land to the north side of Pages Creek; also one feather bed and furniture; also one chest, and a proportionable part of kitchen furniture; and two cows and calves; and also one bay horse glass eyed
And to my son Joshua GILLAM, I give and bequeath a certain tract of land whereon he now lives, including a small piece of land which Col. Mayson is to make rights to; also one Negro boy named Dave and another one named Sam
And To my son Robert GILLAM, I give and bequeath one Negro fellow Simon and the blacksmith tools; and one Negro boy Sharper
And give and bequeath to my daughter Susanna Martin ten pounds
And also I give and bequeath to my grandson James Finlay thirty-five pounds to be paid to him when he arrives to the age of twenty-one years. If the said James Finlay deceases before he arrives to the age of twenty-one years the above legacy to be equally divided between his surviving brothers and sisters
I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Colley Martin the sum of thirty-five pounds sterling to be paid to her when she comes of age
I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Smith one Negro fellow named Brave Boy; also one Negro boy named Jack; also one bay mare
I give and bequeath to my daughter Francis GILLAM two Negroes to wit Isum and Phillis; and the young sorrel mare and saddle; also one bed and furniture and also the above mentioned Sinder and Sin at the decease of the decease of my wife to be sold and equally divided between the living legatees and also the remainder of my estate that has not been heretofore mentioned to be sold and after paying all debts the remainder to be equally divided amongst the surviving legatees.
I likewise constitute, make and ordain the Robert GILLAM, John Wallace, Isaac Mitchell Senr executors of this my last Will and Testament in witnesses whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six
Sig: Robert GILLAM
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presents of us
Fields Red {his X mark]
Harris Gilliam
Susanna Red [her X mark]
Be it remembered that Negroes and the horses to remain to finish this present crop
Recoded in Will Book A, page 362
Proved February 29th 1796
Teste. Fred. Nance CC
[Fields and Susanna Red should read Fields and Susanna Rudd]
Sources
- The South Carolina Department of Archives and History Web Site
- Newberry District Will Book A, page 362