Wills of Virginia GILLIAMs, Removed to South Carolina
Updated November 25, 2022
Fairfield District, SC
Will of Jordain Gilliam
1840
Names Indexed:
Gilliam, Jordain
Gilliam, Mary
Gilliam, Elizabeth
Gilliam, Pricilla
Gilliam, William
Gilliam, Harris
Gilliam, Francis
Gilliam, Palestine
Crosby, Thomas
Crosby, Thomas B.
Crosby, William
Feaster, Jacob
McCully, Ann
Fairfield District Will Book R, Vol. 19, Page 15; Estate Packet: File 72, Pkg. 19, 1 Frame.
SC Archives Series Number: S108093, Reel: 0012, Frame: 00189, Item: 00
[Son of Harris Gilliam and Elizabeth Jordan, his wife. Jordan married Mary McLemore.]
Newberry District, SC
Will of William GILLIAM
Proved 4 Mar 1789
Will Book A, Page 66, Newberry District, SC
Abstracts of Newberry County Will Book A (Continued from Vol. X, p.161), The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, SCMAR, Volume XI, Number 1, Winter, 1983, No. 1, p.12.
Page 66: Court held for Newberry County 4 March 1789.
Will of William GILLAM decd. presented by Samuel Pearson a witness thereto which was proved by his confirmation. Harman Davis took the oath of executor. Warrant of appraisment issued to Mercer Babb, Samuel Pearson, David Jinkins. William GILLIAM of State of South Carolina and Newberry County.
To daughter Ann 15 acres adjoining the place she now lives, 1 sorrel horse, and 1⁄2 the rent of the tenement where on I now live for the maintenance of my son John.
To son William tenement where I live for maintenance of son John, also all that tennement on Bush River consisting of 160 acres whereon I now live.
To son William carpenter's and plantation tools like wise one saw, five shotes.
To daughter Hannah all my household furniture except 1 pewter dish, 1 bason, 3 plates.
To daughter Mary 1 featherbed, 1 pewter dish, 1 bason, 3 plates. Cattle given to Harman Davis Jr. and Daniel Perkins to dispose of as they see fit and to equally divide the money among my daughters.
Daniel Perkins and Harman Davis my executors.
Wit: Samuel Pearson Sr., Thomas Reid Sr., William M. Daniel.
William GILLIAM (Seal)
Page 67: 4 March 1789.
Will of William GILLIAM proved.
Letters of administration granted to Harman Davis and Daniel Perkins Executors.
Inventory to be made.
Page 68:
Mercer Babb. Samuel Pearson, David Jinkins to make inventory of estate of William GILLIAM decd. 4 March 1789.
Qualified by Thos. W. Waters. Inventory of William GILLIAM decd. 4 May 1789.
Total £ 34 12 8.
Certified by: Mercer Babb, Samuel Pearson, David Jinkins.
Recorded 22 July 1789
[William appears to be William GILLIAM of Frederick County, VA who married Hannah Milbourne]
Will of Robert GILLIAM, Sr.
Dated 22 Jan 1796, Recorded 29 Feb 1796
Will Book A, Page 362, Newberry District, SC
Abstracts of Newberry County Will Book A, The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, SCMAR, Volume XII, Number 2, Spring, 1984, Page 81
Page 362:
At a Court held for Newberry County 29 Feb. 1796, will of Robert GILLAM decd. was executed and recorded.
Robert GILLAM of South Carolina, Newberry County,
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
Fields (his x mark) Red
Robert GILLAM (Seal)
Harris GILLAM
Susanna (her x mark) Red
Negroes and horses to remain to finish present crop.
True record 6 June 1796
Page 363
By the judges of the county court of Newberry, 29 Feb. 1796, will of Robert GILLAM Senr. decd. was proven letters of adm. granted to Robert GILLAM, John Wallace, Isaac Mitchell Senr. executors and inventory of est. to be made.
Page 364
By the judges of the County Court of Newberry, est. of Robert GILLAM decd. to be appraised by John Satterwhite, Sen., John Satterwhite Junr., Thomas Farrow.
Inventory of est. of Robert GILLAM decd. 7 May 1796.
[Maj. Robert Gilliam, Sr.]
Estate of John Gillam
13 Apr 1801
Names Indexed:
Gillam, John
Richy, Dorcas
Griffin, Frances
Griffin, Asa
Crews, Abraham
Gates, Daniel
Gates, James
Estate Record Book C, Page 150, (1 Frame)
SC Archives, Series Number: S108093, Reel: 0018, Frame: 00704, Item: 00
Estate of Robert Gillam
10 Feb 1814
Names Indexed:
Gillam, Robert
Gillam, Elizabeth
Tom (Slave)
Lenor (Slave)
Dave (Slave)
Waters, Philemon B.
Shepherd, Sarah
Gillam, William
Dyson, Abraham
Satterwhite, John
Simon (Slave)
George (Slave)
Hannah (Slave)
Gillam, James
Sharper (Slave)
John (Slave)
Isom (Slave)
Genny (Slave)
Milley (Slave)
Gates, Daniel
Goodman, Thomas
Wallace, James
Estate Record Book B, Page 406, (2 Frames)
SC Archives, Series Number: S108093, Reel: 0018, Frame: 00667, Item: 00
[Maj. Robert Gilliam, Sr.]
Estate of Jemima Gilliam
2 Jul 1817
Names Indexed:
Gillam, Jemima
Gillam, Harris
Nell (Slave)
Gillam, Charles
Gillam, David
Daniel (Slave)
Rodgers, Sisley
Goodman, Mary
Nichols, Jemima
Gillam, Martha
Farrow, Samuel
Turner, Little B.
Estate Record Book G, Page 177, (2 Frames)
SC Archives, Series Number: S108093, Reel: 0019, Frame: 00188, Item: 00
[Wife of Charles Gilliam, daughter of Nathaniel Harris and Mary, his wife]
Estate of William Gilliam
18 Nov 1823
Names Indexed:
Gilliam, William
Gilliam, Ann
Gilliam, James S.
Nance, Elizabeth S.
Nance, Clement
Gilliam, John Taylor
Gilliam, Jacob F.
Gilliam, John
Gilliam, Nancy
Gilliam, Reuben
Gilliam, Robert Glenn
Gilliam, Drusilla Ann Goodman
Jin (Slave)
Gilliam, Nathan Simms
Maria (Slave)
Patience (Slave)
Peter (Slave)
Nance, Clement
Wood, James R.
Calmes, Thomas B.
Clarke, John
Estate Record Book I, Pages 65-66, (4 Frames).
SC Archives Series Number: S108093, Reel: 0019, Frame: 00354, Item: 00
Elizabeth Gilliam of Newberry District
2 May 1836
Names Indexed:
Gillam, Elizabeth
Schoppert, Mary B.
Gillam, William
Caldwell, P. C.
Swindler, L. L.
Schoppert, Sarah
Higgins, F. B.
Schoppert, P.
Gracey, M. W.
O’Conner, William
Abbeville County, Estate Packet: Box 131, Pkg. 3798
SC Archives. Series: S108093, Reel: 0003, Frame: 00638, Item: 00
19 Sep 1848
Will of Polly GILLIAM
Estate left to son, William P. Gilliam, except two negroes (Caroline & Charlotte) left to granddaughters: Mary E. Gilliam and Libby Drucilla Gilliam.
Wit: B I Ramage, W F Robertson, and P B Ruff.
Newberry County Unrecorded Wills and Deeds, Abstracted by Mary DeVore Dawkins
Will of Frances P. Gilliam
27 Jul 1855
Names Indexed:
Gilliam, Frances P.
Tom (Slave)
Rachel (Slave)
Sam (Slave)
Rueben (Slave)
Farr, R. B.
Sims, M. D. C.
Gilliam, Rueben
Glenn, Regina W.
Sims, Sicily G.
Charles (Slave)
Lethy (Slave)
Keller, Joseph
Gilliam, Robert W.
Newberry District
SC Archives, Series S108093, Reel 0020, Frame 00564, Item 00
23 Apr 1878
Will of William Pinckney GILLIAM
Codicil 27 Apr 1880
Two-thirds of exceedingly large estate left to only surviving daughter, Libby Drucilla Gilliam Cromer wife of John A. Cromer. Onethird of two plantations left to grandchildren Ellen E. P. Smith Suber, Robert Gilliam Smith, William Pinckney Smith, children of deceased daughter, Mary E. Gilliam Smith whose husband, James N. Smith, to be guardian of boys. One son of Libby and John A. Cromer was William Pinckney Cromer.
Exe: John A. Cromer, Dr. George A Setzler.
Wit: Lewis W Simkins, Mary E Hinson, Thomas S Moorman.
Between 1878-1880, sold "Polly Gilliam" plantation and his "mother's place" and bought John Glymph place and Dr. Brennan place.
Wit: William R. Hentz, I. C. Bowler, Thomas Moorman. Division the same.
Newberry County Unrecorded Wills and Deeds, Abstracted by Mary DeVore Dawkins
York District, SC
Richard Leatham, a planter of York County
20 Jan 1778
Wife: Catherine
Estate to wife during widowhood, then sold at Public Vendue, divided five equal parts, three to be given to Sarah & Ruth, the other two parts to Ann and Purdey, also my lands I bequeath to Purdey, my son.
Executors: Wife, Catherine and Robert Leatham
Witnesses: Thomas Gillham, Moses Leatham, Isaac Gillham
Proven: n.d.
Inventory: Bk. A-9
Joseph Laney, of York County
18 Jul 1788
Wife: Elizabeth Daughter: Elinor McCown (?McQuown) Other children mentioned, but not named
Executors: David Leech, Moses Leatham
Witnesses: Thomas Gillham, William Laney, William McQuown
Proven: n.d.
Henry Ray (Wray) Sr., of York County
26 Aug 1789
Wife: Agness
Daughters: Isabell and Sarah
Son: Henry
Executors: Son, Henry and Alex. Galloway
Witnesses: Isaac Gillham, Thomas Gillham, John Creige
Recorded: 28 Dec 1789, inventory Bk. A #31
Patrick Robinson of York County
12 May 1793
Wife: Sarah
To Elizabeth Gillham, the land west side Broad River between Gilkeys Creek and Ebets Creek.
Daughters: Elizabeth Gillham, Cetura, Sarah, Agness, Jane.
Executors: Wife and Samuel Robinson
Witnesses: Jos. Robinson, Samuel Nesbitt, Isaac Laney
Proven: 7 Jan 1794;
Case 62 file #2829
Thomas Gillham of York District
25 Aug 1801
Wife: Jane Gilham
Sons: William, Charles (underage)
Daughters (but not named)
Executors: Wife, Jane and Ezekial Gilham
Witnesses: Ralph Rodgers, Chas. Gilham, Adam Meek
Proven: 10 Nov 1801
Charles Gillham of York District
25 Aug 1800
Wife (but not named) five shillings
Daughter: Elizabeth Gilham, 150 acres on west side of Bullocks Creek
Daughter: Sarah Gilham, 100 acres on west side of Bullocks Creek known as Duckpon plantation.
Son: John Gilham, remainder of estate
To John Montgomery, 15 pounds
To Hampton Wade, 10 pounds
Remainder of estate equally divided between my three youngest children.
Executors: Eldest son, Thomas Gilham, Ralph Rodgers, Adam Meek
Witnesses: James Wilson, Jones Boyles, Sarah Davidson
Proven: 1 Mar 1802
Andrew Spratt of York County
26 Dec 1803
Wife: Elizabeth
Five children: Polly Spratt, James Spratt, Susannah Spratt, David Spratt, Charity Spratt (all under age) Schooling of the children
Executors: John Gillon, Alexander Scott
Witnesses: Jeremiah Alderson, William Weathers
Proven: 6 Jan 1804;
Case 62 file #2855
Abraham Thrift of York District
19 Sep 1806
Wife, not named, after her death to Spencer Thrift.
Executors: Wife and Spencer Thrift
Witnesses: A. Meek, Ezekiel Gilham, Shadrack Thrift
Proven: 28 Oct 1806
Will of Ann Meek of the District of York
27 Sep 1815
…To my son James one twelfth part left me by Adam MEEK dec’d will.
To my daughter Margaret one twelfth part. To my daughter Jean MITCHELL one third part left me. To my daughter Agness one third part left me. To my son William one sixth part left me.
I appoint Edward BYERS & Sam’l B. BYERS, exrs., 27 Sept 1815.
Ann MEEK (LS).
Wit: Ezekial GILLHAM, John PILCHER, Robert PILCHER.
Warrant of appraisement directed by John THOMPSON, John PILCHER, Wm THOMPSON, David BYERS & Alex THOMPSON 20 June 1818 returnable 15 August.
Letters testamentary to Sam’l Baldwin BYERS 20 June 1818.”
Will Book A-1 1800-1813, Pages 222-225
7 Jan 1847
Will of Ezekiel Gillam
State of South Carolina, York District
In the name of God, I Ezekiel Gillam knowing that it is appointed to man to die, and being of sound and disposing mind and memory do ordain constitute and make this as my last will and Testament hereby revoking all others.
Item 1st my will is that I may be decently buried and that all my just debts be paid if I should owe any.
Item 2nd I give to my son Ezekiel Gillam al my estate of al kinds whatsoever both real and personal to be his and delivered over to him, upon his arriving at the age of twenty-one years old. And I hereby appoint my trusty friend Jane Black to take charge of my son and his estate as his guardian and as such she is hereby bound (if she does so) to come to and permanently reside upon the place where I lie and as guardian of my son she shall have full power to manage all my estate as she may think best so as to keep the property together using as much of said estate as she deems necessary for the support of my beloved son Ezekiel Gillam in properly raising and educating him and for her own individual support, upon my son Ezekiel Gillam arriving to the age of twenty one years my will is that my estate of all kinds which I now have or may have at my death and which may have increase with said increase up to the time her shall arrive to the age of twenty one years of course excepting what may be used for his support and education and for Jane Black’s individual support shall be and is hereby given to my son in fee simple and forever as his own absolutely.
Item 3d. If my son Ezekiel Gillam arrives at the age of twenty one years old I hereby charge him and his estate hereby willed to him with the decent support of my friend Jane Black during her natural life for her care and trouble in raising and discharging all the duties I have required of her as his guardian.
Item 4th If my trusty friend Jane Black shall take charge of my son and his estate as his guardian and faithfully managed him and it as I have hereby enjoined upon her and my son Ezekiel Gillam shall die before he arrives to the age of twenty one years old then and in that case my will is that Jane Black shall have all my estate of all kinds whatsoever.
Lastly, I nominate constitute and appoint John McSwain and Croker Howel my executors to this my last will and Testament.
Signed, sealed, acknowledged to be his last will and testament in the presence of us this Jan 7 1847
Sig: Ezekiel Gillam
Wit: John G. Brown
William Jamieson
William N. Smith
Probated February 14 1848
Will book 3, page 173
Case No. 9, File No. 1410
Estate Packet Case 9, File 389, (2 Frames).
SC Archives Series Number: S108093, Reel: 0031, Frame: 00249, Item: 00
Sources