Updated November 25, 2022
Background
Knox County was created on June 11, 1792 by Governor William Blount from parts of Greene and Hawkins counties, and has the distinction of being one of only eight counties created during territorial administration. It is one of nine United States counties named for Revolutionary War general and first United States Secretary of War Henry Knox. Parts of Knox County later became Blount (1795), Anderson (1801), Roane (1801), and Union (1850) counties.
In 1786 James White built a fort five miles (8 km) below the junction of the French Broad and Holston Rivers on the southernmost edge of frontier settlement in present-day East Tennessee. William Blount, governor of the Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio, selected the site of James White's Fort as the territorial capital in 1791. He gave it the name Knoxville in honor of his direct superior as territorial governor, Revolutionary War hero General Henry Knox (1750–1806), who served as the first U.S. Secretary of War from 1785 to 1794.
Governor Blount designated Knoxville as the capital of the Territory South of the River Ohio from 1791 to 1796. Knoxville also served as the capital of the State of Tennessee from 1796 to 1812, with the exception of one day in 1807, when the legislature met in Kingston to fulfill a treaty obligation with the Cherokee, and briefly again in 1817-18. Frontier leader General John Sevier, a resident of Knox County, served as governor of Tennessee from 1796 to 1801 and 1803 to 1809, most of Knoxville's years as the state capital.
Overview
Knox County was settled by the descendants of William Gilliam and Mary Jarratt including Thomas Gilliam and Devereaux Gilliam.
Bonds
2 May 1796
Some time in the year 1796, I took a bond from Devereix Gilliam and Nicholas Pirkins Sen. for fifty pounds Virginia money and having received payment in full for said bond, from said Gilliam and Pirkins, and having lost or mislaid said bond, so that I cannot render it to said Gilliam and Pirkins, I do hereby forbid and forwarn all persons from trading for, or taking an assignment on said bond, as it is fully paid and I have given a receipt against the same. In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of March, 1796.
William Karr, Sen.
[Devereaux Gilliam was the son of William and Mary Jarratt Gilliam]
Knoxville Gazette
Deeds
21 Jan 1795
This indenture mat the 21st day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five between Stockley Donelson and the county of Hawkins and territory south of the Ohio by his attorney in fact Hugh Dunlap of the county of Knox and territory aforesaid of the one part and Devereux Gilliam of the County of Knox and territory aforesaid of the other part
Witnesseth that the said Stockley Donelson by his attorney in fact Hugh Dunlap for and in consideration of the sum of one thousand dollars to him in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, alien and enfeeoff and confirm unto the said Devereux Gilliam his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract or parcell of land or his moiety thereof containing five thousand acres of patent 209 granted to said Stockley Donelson and James Woods Lackey by the state of North Carolina and bearing date January the fourth one thousand seven hundred and ninety five issued on warrant 1025 of John Armstrong’s Office lying and being in the County of Knox beginning on two Elms on the bank of Clinch River corner to James Glasgow’s survey thence down Clinch and Tennessee Rivers including the meanders to a stake about one mile below the mouth of piney river thence north one thousand five hundred poles to a stake at the foot of Cumberland Mountain thence along the foot of said Cumberland Mountain six thousand poles to a stake thence south seventy five degrees east to William Blounts line thence with his line to the before mentioned line of James Glasgow thence with his line to the beginning with all and singular the woods, waters, water courses profits commodities hereditaments and appertanances to the said tract of land belonging or appertaining and the reversion and reversions rents and issues thereof and all the estate right title interest property claim demand of him the said Stockley Donelson by his attorney in fact Hugh Dunlap his heirs and assigns forever of in and to the same and every part and parcell thereof either in law or equity to have and to hold the said moiety or half of the five thousand acres of land aforesaid with the appertanances unto the said Devereux Gilliam his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful title claim and demand of all and every person or persons whatsoever in witness whereof the said Stockley Donelson by his attorney in fact Hugh Dunlap hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed in presence of us: Peter McNamie, William Gilliam, John Lesley
October Session 1806, the within deed of conveyance was proven in open Court by the oath of John Lesley let it be registered Joseph Terry Clerk of White County, by his deputy
Sig: Samuel Terry
The within deed of conveyance is registered in Book A, and page 2, October 16, 1806, John Dirgan Register of White County by his Deputy: Joseph Terry
The within deed of conveyance is registered in said office in Book B, page 283
John Stone, Register, RC,
State of Tennessee, Roane County
17 Jun 1807
Knox County, TN, Deeds and Trust, Book B, page 283
Family Records
GEORGE FAMILY RECORD
Births
William George son of Thomas & Rebecca George was born June 16th 1724
Winifred George his wife was born October 18th 1727
Ages of their children
Thomas George was born May 5th 1746
William George was born July 17th 1748
Rebecca George was born June 15th 1750
Nicholas George was born September 18th 1752
Winifred George was born June 18th 1754
Solomon George was born December 9th 1757
Elizabeth George was born June 6th 1760
Spencer George was born September 16th 1762
Catherine George was born November 7th 1766
Deaths
Thomas George son of William and Elizabeth George was born April 23d 1701 in Lancaster County and departed this life [the rest is unintelligible]
Nicholas George son of William and Winifred George departed this life September 26th 1753
Spencer George son of William and Winifred George departed this life June 8th 1775
Winifred George departed this life December 16th 1809 aged 82 years
W. R. Pope in a letter written to an unknown "Mr. George." His letter is in the McClung Collection of the East Tennessee Historical Society.
[Winifred George born 18 Jun e 1754 in the wife of Thomas Gilliam, son of William Gilliam and Mary Jarratt]
Petitions
2 Aug 1806
Petition of Deveraux Gilliam, Hugh Dunlap and John Lavender, executors of George Roulston, dec'd, printer of Roulstons Gazette, for payment due his estate for printing notices of delinquent land taxes.
Petitions to the General Assembly of Tennessee, Transcribed from Tennessee State Library and Archives Microfilm, Roll No.3, Legislative Petitions 1805-1812
Wills, Estates and Inventories
Will of Thomas GILLIAM
Nov 1793
On the motion of Winnefred Gilliam, widow of Thomas Gilliam deceased administration is granted her on her late husbands estate who hath been qualified accordingly and entered into bond with Richard Mynot and Stephen Renfro her securities in the sum of five hundred dollars with condition as the law directs for the faithful administration of the said estate.
Winiford GILLIAM appointed administrator
Rec: Nov Session of 1793
County Court, Settlements and Wills, Volume 0-3, Volume 1, July 1792-October 1811, page 11, 13
Thomas GILLIAM, dec'd Inventory
Feb 1794
An Inventory and appraisement of the estate of Thomas Gilliam, decd returned to Court and admitted to record.
| 2 horse creatures 46 2/3, 5 cows 41 | 87.66 | 2/3 |
| 2 year olds and a calf 6. 2 2/3, 3 steers 11, 1 cow 10 | 27.66 | 2/3 |
| 1 calf 1, 3 hogs 5, 1 beef cow 10 cattle sold for 43.33 1/3 | 59.33 | 1/3 |
| 2 pots, pot rack 7 pudding pan 6, oven, skillet and griddle 4 | 10.00 | |
| 1 plough shear, auger, hoe, and plough tacklings | 3.00 | |
| 1 mattock, 1 sythe, 2 handsaw, drawing knife & sickle 2 | 4.00 | |
| 2 belts, & 2 hoes, 3 setts iron chains 5, 2 bards iron 2 | 9.00 | |
| 1 log chain & double tree 2.66 2/3 1 frow and old ax 1 | 3.66 | 2/3 |
| 2 dishes, 4 basons and 8 plates | 11.66 | 2/3 |
| 7 tins, 2 black jacks, 18 spoons 2.66 2/3 | 2.66 | 2/3 |
| Knives, and forks and 1 pair wool cards | 1.00 | |
| 4 bags, 2 wheels 4 wooden vessels 2, 3 chains 1 | 7.00 | |
| 2 beds and furniture 40, 2 sows and pigs 4 | 44.00 | |
| 3 small barrows 3, 2 iron wedges 1 | 4.00 | |
| Drs | 274.66 | 2/3 |
| January 3, 1794 | ||
| Stephen Renfro, William Copelin Appraisers |
[Thomas GILLIAM was the son of William GILLIAM and Mary Jarratt]
Will of Devereaux GILLIAM
2 May 1809
October Sessions 1809
The last Will and Testament of Devereaux Gilliam deceased was produce to Court for probate whereupon James White Junior and Joseph Hepenstall two of the subscribing witnesses thereto made oath that they saw the said Devereaux Gilliam sign & seal and they heard him publish and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament, that at the time of publishing the same the said Devereaux was of sound and perfect mind and memory tot he best of their knowledge and belief, and that they saw Alice Callen sign her name as a Concurring evidence thereto, which Will was admitted to record and is in the following words, to wit.
In the name of God Amen. I Devereaux Gilliam being very low and sick in body but in perfect sense, and memory I give and bequeath my body to the earth from whence it came and I give my soul and spirit to him who hath redeemed me. I give all my present and personal and whole estate to my beloved wife, Ede Gilliam to do as she sees cares to dispose of hereafter I do sign it as my last Will and Testament.
Sig: Devereaux Gilliam, May 2nd 1809
I do appoint Thomas Herman and Alex Ramsey and, Ede Gilliam my Executors
Wit: Joseph Hippenstall, Alice Callen, James White
Rec: October 1809
County Court, Settlements and Wills, Volume 0-3, Volume 1, October Session, 1809, page 305
Will of Devereaux Gilliam, Knox County: Roll #155: Vol. 1: Estates: Date: July 1792-Oct 1811: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Page 305 [transcribed by 1918copies.com]
[Devereaux GILLIAM was the son of William GILLIAM and Mary Jarratt]
Will of Spencer GILLIAM
6 Mar 1808
The last Will and Testament of Spencer Gilliam deceased was produced to Court for probate whereupon, Bazel Human and J. Wunderhill two of the subscribing witnesses thereto made oath that the saw the said Spencer Gilliam sign, seal, and that they heard him publish and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament that at the time of publishing the same he was of sound and perfect mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and beliefs, and that they saw James Galloway make his mar as a concurring evidence thereto, which Will is admitted to Record and is in these words to wit
“Whereas I Spencer Gilliam of the County of Knox and State of Tennessee being very sick in body, but of perfect mind & memory and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament, and first of all I recommend my soul to God, into the hand of Almighty God who gave it and my body to be buried in a decent Christian burial, and as touching such worldly affairs as it has pleased God to bless me with, I give and bequeath in the following manner & form
Firstly I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Jemima Gilliam, my whole estate, real, or personal, that is my land, live stock, household furniture and so forth for her use in raising my Children for her truly to enjoy during her widowhood afterwards or so soon as she marries, I will my estate before mentioned to be sold and equally divided among my four Children, Viz, Anne, Winney, Polly and Elizabeth Gilliam
Secondly I hereby appoint my well beloved friends Hugh Maxwell, and Solomon George, both of the County and State aforesaid, to be my lawful Executors,
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this sixth day of the third month, in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and eight,
Sig: Spencer Gilliam {Seal}
signed sealed published and pronounced to be my last Will and Testament in the presence of us.
Wit: Bazel Human, James [his X mark] Galloway, J. Wunderhill
Knox County: Roll #155: Vol. 1: Estates: Date: July 1792-Oct 1811: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Page 324 [Transcribed by 1918copies.com]
County Court, Settlements and Wills, Volume 0-3, Volume 1, October Session 1810, page 324
[Spencer GILLIAM was the son of Thomas GILLIAM, above and a grandson of William GILLIAM and Mary Jarratt. Spencer Gilliam was the son of Thomas Gilliam and Winnifred George.
Sale of Estate of Spencer GILLIAM, dec'd
Rec: Oct 1811
Appraisers: Hugh Maxwell and Solomon George
October 1811, page 378
Sources
- Knoxville Gazette
- Knox County, TN, Deeds and Trust
- Knox County: Roll #155: Vol. 1: Estates: Date: July 1792-Oct 1811: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Page 324 [Transcribed by 1918copies.com]
- County Court, Settlements and Wills, Volume 0-3, Volume 1, October Session 1810, page 324
- County Court, Settlements and Wills, Volume 0-3, Volume 1, October Session, 1809, page 305
- Will of Devereaux Gilliam, Knox County: Roll #155: Vol. 1: Estates: Date: July 1792-Oct 1811: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Page 305 [transcribed by 1918copies.com]
- Petitions to the General Assembly of Tennessee, Transcribed from Tennessee State Library and Archives Microfilm, Roll No.3, Legislative Petitions 1805-1812
- W. R. Pope in a letter written to an unknown "Mr. George." His letter is in the McClung Collection of the East Tennessee Historical Society.