Updated November 25, 2022
In the Name of God Amen, I Robert GILLAM, of South Carolina, and Newberry District being infirm 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 my body I recommend to the earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my executors and to touching such worldly estate which it hath please God to bless me with I will and bequeath in the following manner and form
I give unto my beloved wife Elizabeth GILLAM during her natural life the one half of the tract of land and plantation, I now live on to be divided as the road runs through the land from east to west, she to have the choice of which half she will take. I also give unto my said beloved wife a Negro fellow named Tom and a wench named Lenor and her child a boy named Dave during her natural life and at her decease to be sold together with their increase if any and equally divided between my two William and James or their heirs and the surviving children of Philemon B. Waters, deceast.
I also give to my daughter Sarah Shepherd in addition to what I have already given her the sum of twenty dollars
I also give and bequeath unto my son William Gilliam a certain tract of land lying to the east of the tract mentioned to run from a stake corner on Abraham Dyson’s land to a white oak corner on John Satterwhite line, the corner last aluded [sic] to is either on a whit e oak or pine.
I also give my said son William a Negro fellow named Simon, also one fellow named George, also, one negro woman named Hannah and the blacksmiths tools
I also give and bequeath unto my son James GILLAM the one half of the plantation and tract of land agreeable to the division laid out for my wife and at her death he is to have the part given to her during her natural life.
I also give to my said son James one negro man named Sharper also one negro boy named John also negro boy named Isom also one negro wench named Genny and her child Milley
And I also give to my said loving wife her choice of any two of my horses that is any two she may chose
And the chain and harness it is also my will that my stock of horses, hogs, cows, sheep, & together with my crop and household and kitchen furniture be equally divided between my said wife and two sons and that all debts be collected and after paying my just debts to be equally divided as above
I likewise I leave all the rest of my estate not herein mentioned to be sold twelve months after my decease and equally divided between my two sons William and James
I likewise constitute, make and ordain my loving wife Elizabeth executrix any my son William and GILLAM and my son James GILLAM executors of this my last will and testament
In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 27th day of October in the year of our Lord 1813
Sig: Robert Gillam
Signed, sealed and delivered in presents of us
Danl Gates
Thomas Goodman
James Wallace
Recorded in Will Book B, page 406
Proved February 10, 1814
Recorded February 10, 1814
Samuel Lindsey, O N D [Ordinary Newberry District]
Box No. 43, Pkg. 98, Est. No. 1058
Sources
- The South Carolina Department of Archives and History Web Site
- Newberry District, Will Book B, page 406