Updated November 25, 2022
Background
In 1786 the North Carolina General Assembly created Sumner County from Davidson and named it in honor of Jethro Sumner, French and Indian War soldier, Revolutionary War commander at Charleston, Brandywine and Germantown who defended North Carolina against Cornwallis in 1780. The rolling hills and well-watered lands attracted pioneer leaders of the stature of Daniel Smith and Anthony Bledsoe as well as those of more meager means such as Hugh Rogan. However, Native Americans did not passively accept this frontier advance; periodic warfare resulted in the deaths of both Indians and settlers, including Robert Peyton, the last known Sumner settler killed by Indians. The opening of wagon roads, the influx of new settlers, and a preemptive strike at the Indian raiders' base village of Nickajack ended the Indian wars by 1795.
Overview
Sumner County was settled by Gilliams of Prince Edward County, VA. James Gilliam who married Frances Hopkins has been confused with James Gilliam of Cumberland County, VA. James of Cumberland’s Revolutionary War service has been credited to this James Gilliam who married Frances Hopkins.
Census
1820
Chs Gillam
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Gallatin, Sumner, Tennessee
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 14: 2
Slaves - Females - Under 14: 2
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 2
Free White Persons - Over 25: 3
Total Free White Persons: 5
Total Slaves: 5
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 10
James Gillam
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Gallatin, Sumner, Tennessee
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Slaves - Males - Under 14: 2
Slaves - Males - 14 thru 25: 1
Slaves - Males - 26 thru 44: 5
Slaves - Males - 45 and over: 1
Slaves - Females - Under 14: 6
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1
Slaves - Females - 26 thru 44: 2
Slaves - Females - 45 and over: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 6
Number of Persons - Engaged in Manufactures: 2
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 5
Total Slaves: 19
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 24
John Gillam
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Gallatin, Sumner, Tennessee
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 3
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 14: 1
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 2
Free White Persons - Under 16: 6
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total Slaves: 2
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 10
1830
Frances Gillum
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Sumner, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 70 thru 79: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 2
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 1
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
Slaves - Males - 36 thru 54: 6
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 7
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 2
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 3
Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 1
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total Slaves: 24
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 26
James Gillum
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Sumner, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 2
John Gillum
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Sumner, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 1
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1
Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total Slaves: 3
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 13
Stephen R Gillum
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Sumner, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 1
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 3
Taylor G Gillum
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Sumner, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total Slaves: 1
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 9
1840
John Gilham
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Sumner, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 2
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 3
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 4
Total Free White Persons: 9
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 9
S R Gilham
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Sumner, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total Slaves: 1
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 8
Taylor Gilham
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Sumner, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 1
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1
Slaves - Females - 55 thru 99: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 4
Free White Persons - Under 20: 8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total Slaves: 3
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 13
1850
Lucy Gilliam
Age: 67
Birth Year: abt 1783
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: District 15, Sumner, Tennessee
Race: White
Gender: Female
Family Number: 891
Lucy Gilliam, age 67
Barnet H Gilliam, age 26
Lucy A J Gilliam, age 20
John R Gilliam
Age: 35
Birth Year: abt 1815
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: District 15, Sumner, Tennessee
Race: White
Gender: Male
Family Number: 887
John R Gilliam, age 35
Sarah E Gilliam, age 22
Symantha E Gilliam, age 3
William H Gilliam, age 1
Stephen R Gilliam
Age: 48
Birth Year: abt 1802
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: District 15, Sumner, Tennessee
Race: White
Gender: Male
Family Number: 890
Stephie R Gilliam, age 48
Nancy F Gilliam, age 42
David M S Gilliam, age 18
Marcus A Gilliam, age 14
William B Gilliam, age 11
Nancy H Gilliam, age 7
Martha T Gilliam, age 4
Martha Brown, age 16
Church
March 1852
Siloam Baptist Church membership lists
Death of Lucy Gilliam.
Correspondences
Letter from Frances (Hopkins) GILLIAM of Sumner County to her son, James "Jamey" Gilliam, Jr. of Hermitage Post Office, Prince Edward County , VA
August 17 1821 Sumner County Tennessee
Dear Son James I write a few lines to let you know that your Dear old Father is Dead or reather fallen asleep he departed this life the 15 of June he never was well after you left him but still got worse until he died I never saw any one Suffer as much in my life before we had to sit up with him from about the midle of february until the middle of June His misery was so great at times that it apeard as if it was not possible for him to live one hour for months before he Died—at times he would raise his hands and sing his sweet song as he calld it - O when shall I see Jesus and dwell with him above etc. He said when he could feel like singing he felt but little misery, he was so weak it would take him a long time to finnish his song when he began it but he would keep trying until he would get thru it, a few minutes before he breathed his last, he sayd O my heart and my heart strings, and sayed Frankey is singing her free song and I shall soon be singing mine then he raised his hands and said O lord and tried to say more but his tongue failed him.
Charles had the bad luck to lose his wife in march and has sent letters to you and Mrs. Wyatt but never has receivd a line from neither of you since so he don't know wheather you have Ever got his letters or not he is very unwell at this time and has bin for some time indeed he never Injoys any health at all scarcly he came here yesterday and stayed until after breakfast this morning he and the two little girls the Children are both well - I myself am as well as I have bin for some time but am very much afflicted with a pain in my head and breast but am as well as I Ever Expect to be in this life the rest of the family is all in Common health for which I desire to be thankfull—your Brothers and Sifters are all well as far as I know Except Charles and their family, G. Harris has movd to Duck river, Robert Hawkins is living about three miles from us on rented land he has a fine Crop of Corn Coming on—I wish to write more but my hand shakes so bad I am affraid you Cant read my writing. I Expect you wish to know how your Father has left his affairs he has left Abraham to James and Richard Woodson at my Death and a Childs part to be Divided between them, and has left Betsy to Frankeys Children at my Death also a Childs part to be Divided among them his will was for me to keep
them as long as I live you know how he has given the rest of the young negros he has willd all the ballance of his property to me to have and injoy dureing my life and at my Death to be Equilly devided, my Dear son I Cant tell how glad I should be to see you. to talke to and have your advice your Father had a very great Desire to see you after you went away and would often say I wish I could see Jamey but I never shall he was very uneasy for fear I should lack a friend after he was gone he thought if you was here you would see that I was taken care of he said to Charles one day as he was standing by his bed, Charles see to your mothers businefs but poor fellow you are not able to see to your own. Charles said well Daddy if I do as well as I Can I Cant do no more and said he would do as well as he Could for me, it was on my account I believe that he had such a desire to see you it appeared that he was very worried for fear I should come to suffer after he was gone but I am in the hands of a good god and hope he will take Care of me, no more but remain your loving mother untill death.
Frances Gilliam
give my best love to patty and the Children and all the neighbors, Dafney and Patrick. All Negroes wish to be rem
Court
13 Sep 1832
Securities for Squire Brown to make appearance in court
Securities include: Squire Brown, Dance Brown, John Brown, Taylor G. Gilliam, Stephen R. Gilliam, James G. Webb, Wm. B. Gilliam, Hardy Culwell, Jonathan Davis, Elijah Butler, and Thomas White.
27 Mar 1837
Stephen Gilliam vs. Seaton Duffer
At the house of Jobe Pike: "Squire Brown testified that he heard Seaton say that he paid it once (one payment) and lost his pocketbook with the paper on the way from Va. He testified to the good character of Jarrett Carter but he was not acquainted with the character of John Keen." He stated that he was 28 years old.
Suit #9887
Sumner County, TN
Deeds
27 Sep 1849
William Foster of Allen Co., KY to John R. Gilliam of Sumner Co., 55 acres
Wit: Squire Brown and William Culwell
5 Nov 1851
Squire Brown to Stephen R. Gilliam, 23 1/2 acres in Sumner County, Tn.
1857
The land belonging to John H. and Lucy Gilliam, both deceased, was sold by their heirs. Most of their living children and the children of their deceased son signed the deed.
Marriages
22 Apr 1827
State of Tennessee
Sumner County
To any regular minister of the Gospel having the care of Souls or any Justice of the Peace
These are to authorize you or either of you to solemnize the rites of Matrimony between Stephen R. Gilliam and Nancy Duffer of your county, agreeably to the direction of any act of Assembly in such case made and provided: Provided always, that the said Nancy Duffer, be an actual resident in this county—otherwise these shall be mull and void and shall not be accounted any license of authority to you or either of you, for the purpose aforesaid, more than though the same had never been prayed or granted etc. Given at the Clerk’s office of said county court this 22 day of April 1827.
Sig: A. H. Douglass, Clerk of Sumner County, Court
[Stephen R. Gilliam is the son of James Gilliam, Sr. and Frances Hopkins]
Tax Lists
1818
John Gilliam - no land
1819
John Gilliam, 127 acres and 8 poles on Waters of Trammell
1820
Record of the Taxable Property and Polls in Sumner County for the year 1820
John Gilliam, 127 acres on Trammel Creek
James Gilliam, 400 acres, on the Ridge
Charles H. Gilliam, 100 acres, on the Ridge
1821
John Gillom, 127 acres Trammel Creek
1824
John Gilliam, 127 acres - 0 white, 1 black
1838
John Gilliam, 200 acres, 1 slave
Wills
Will of John B. Gilliam
15 Aug 1811
In the name of God Amen: I John B. Gilliam of Smith County State of Tennessee, Calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and Knowing that it is lot of all living once to die and thanks be to God I am at present health and distored [?] memory touching worldly state that it has pleased God to bless me with.
Item. I give to my loving wife Jane Gilliam all my worldly estate in the western state to wit, Negro wenches Jude and Joice and Cooper and my Cabinet tools with all household & kitchen furniture,
also I will negro girl Sinny which is now at my mother’s in Campbell County in Virginia to my brother Jarratt Gilliam
Sig: John B. Gilliam {seal}
Test. Wm Turnbul, Samuel Anthony
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court November Term 1814
The last Will and Testament of John B. Gilliam was exhibited in Court for probate, and thereupon the said will is duly proved by the oaths of William Turnbull and Samuel Anthony, subscribing witnesses thereto; and there being no Executor named in said will, on motion it is ordered by the Court that letters of administration with said will annexed to granted and delivered to Jane Gilliam Widow & Relict of said deceased and thereupon the said Jane Gilliam with Samuel Anthony her Security entered into and acknowledged their bond to the Governor in the penalty of five hundred dollars conditioned as the law directs
Sumner County, TN: Roll #91 Probate Records (County or Chancery Court) Wills: Vol.: 1-5 Jul 1789-Jul 1904 Tennessee State Library and Archives. Vol. 1: Page 200
[The Will of John B. Gilliam was written in Smith County, TN, recorded in Sumner County and referred to property in Campbell County, VA. John. the son of Charles Gilliam and Elizabeth Patterson married Jane Anthony the daughter of Rev. Joseph Anthony on 10 Dec 1808 in Henry County, VA. It is not believed that John and Jane had children. Jane married secondly Dr. Edward Hiram Bennett. See below.]
Bond of Jane Gilliam and Samuel Anthony
2 Dec 1814
State paid for the said Governor of Tennessee
Know all men by presents that we Jane Gilliam and Saml Anthony all of Sumner County in the state aforesaid, are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency Willie Blount, Esq., Governor of said State in the sum of five hundred dollars to be paid to the said governor or his successor or assigns to which payment will and truly to be made,
We bind ourselves and each of us each and every of our heirs, Executor and administrators jointly and severally, firmly by these present sealed with _____ and dated the 2nd day of December in the year of our Lord 1814,
the condition of the above obligation is first, that of the above bond,
is Jane Gilliam administratrix of all and singular the goods and chattels rights, and credits of John B. Gilliam deceased do make or cause to be make a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits of the said deceased which have or shall come to the hands, possession of knowledge of her, the said, Jane Gilliam or in the hands or possession of any other person or persons for her and the same so made,
do exhibit or cause to be exhibited unto the Court of the county aforesaid within hereby days after the date of these presents and the same good, chattels and credits and all other goods, chattels and credit of the said deceased at the time of his death, of which at any time after it shall come to the hands of possession of the said Jane Gilliam or unto the hands of possession of any other person or persons for her do, will and truly administer according to law
and further do make or cause to be made a true and just account of her said administration within two years after the date of these presents and all the rest and residue of the said goods and chattels and credits which shall be found remaining upon the said administrator’s account the same being first all examined and allowed of by the court of said county shall deliver and pay unto such person or person as the same shall be due unto pursuant to the true intent and meaning of the act in that case made
and provided and if _____ shall appear that any Will and Testament was made by the deceased and by the executors therein named, do exhibit the same into court making request to have it allowed and approved accordingly, if the said Jane Gilliam _____ being thereunto required to do render and deliver the said letters of administration, approbation of such testament being first had and made in the said court and then this obligation to be void and of none effect or else to remain in full force and virtue.
Sig: Jane Gilliam and Samuel Anthony
[The above bond suggests that the Will of John B. Gilliam had not been located; however, it appears the Will was entered into probate in Sumner one month earlier, that is, November 1814]
Sumner County, TN, Book ____, page 382.
Will of John Simpson
7 Mar 1816
Wife Eliz.
State of Missouri, County of Madison. 13 May 1834, before Wm. M. Newberry Clerk of the County Court. Appeared Wm. Anthony and Jane Bennett who is identical person with Jane Gilliam. John Simpson died May 1834.
Sumner County, TN, Will Book 2, page 179
Will of James Gilliam
11 Feb 1821
In the name of God: I, James GILLIAM, of the County of Sumner and State of Tennessee, do make this my last will and testament of the property which it hath pleased God to bless me with. I do make the following distribution amongst my dear wife, Frances, and my children.
I have given to my children as follows:
To my son, John H. GILLIAM, Louisa, Milly's daughter
To my son, James GILLIAM, Susannah, Dapny's youngest daughter
To my daughter, Sarah Hawkins, Dapny, Biddy's daughter
To my daughter, Polly Webb, Polly, Milly's daughter
To my daughter, Martha Harris, Maria, Biddy's daughter
To my son, Charles H. Gilliam, Sam, Inez's son
To my son, Taylor G. GILLIAM, Henry, Janey's son
To my daughter, Nancy H. GILLIAM, Biddy, Biddy's daughter
To my son, Stephen R. GILLIAM, Suchy, Janey's daughter
To my daughter, Susannah Woodson's two sons, James and Richard Woodson, Abraham, Biddy's son
To my daughter, Frances Patterson's children, Betsy, Biddy's daughter.
The above mentioned Abraham and Betsy, my wife is to keep during her life.
The above mentioned Negroes to said children I give to them and the lawful issue of their body forever.
In the following manner it is my will and desire, not mentioning particulars, for my dear wife, Frances, to have and enjoy the whole of my property that remains without any interruption whatsoever during her natural life, and at her death, to be equally divided between my children aforementioned to be for them and the lawful heirs of their body forever.
NB: That Susannah Woodson’s children is to have a child's part divided between them and likewise Frances Patterson's children, a child's part divided between.
I do constitute and appoint my wife, Frances, Executrix, and my son, Charles H. GILLIAM, Executor, to this my last will.
In Testimony whereof, I, James GILLIAM, have hereto set my hand and seal, this 11th day of February 1821.
Sig: James Gilliam
Signed, sealed and
delivered in the presence of
Wit: John M. Rice, William Bratton, William Bush
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court August Term 1821
The last will and Testament of James Gilliam, dec'd, was produced in open court for probate and ____ up on the same was proven in due form by the oaths of John M. Rice and William Bratton, subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion ordered to be recorded.
Whereupon Frances Gilliam and Charles H. Gilliam, Executrix and Executor, named in said will qualified as such by taking the oath prescribed by law, and together with Richard Baskerville and Thomas Meador, their securities, entered into and acknowledged this bond to the Governor in the penalty of Twelve Thousand Dollars conditioned as the law directs.
Sumner County, TN, Will Book ___. page 335
27 Jan 1840
John H. Gilliam, Noncuperative Will
Wife, Lucy, and "my children"
1 May 1840
Estate sale for John H. Gilliam, Decd.
Son, James Gilliam, administrator of his estate.
Will of Stephen R. Gilliam
3 Apr 1857
I Stephen R. Gilliam of the County of Sumner and State of Tennessee do make and ordain, publish and order this to be my last Will and Testament
That is to say after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged the remainder of my estate, real and personal I grant, bequeath, and dispose of as follows, to wit
1st to my beloved wife, Nancy F. Gilliam, I give all my property real and persona during her natural life
2nd I have given to David M. S. Gilliam, _____ all of the property which I intend for him
3rd At the death of my wife Nancy F. Gilliam I give all my land to William B. Gilliam and
4th in the above mentioned William B. Gilliam must within two years after the decease of my wife, give to Nancy H. Gilliam, two hundred as the said Nancy H. Gilliam’s portion of my estate
5th At the death of my wife I desire all my personal property horses, sheep, cattle, hogs, etc., and household and kitchen furniture and farming utensils to be sold and the proceeds ____ together with any and all other means which I may have to be divided equally between my two daughters Nancy H. and Martha J. Gilliam.
6th I hereby appoint my son Marcus A. Gilliam to be executor of this my last will and testament
As witness whereof I hereunto affix my hand and seal the third day of April 1857.
Sig: Stephen R. Gilliam
Wit: J. A. Nimmo, Andrew Anderson
State of Tennessee
Sumner County Court, May Term 1857
The last will and Testament of Stephen R. Gilliam decd was this day produced in open court for probate and was duly proved by the oaths of J. A .Nimmo and Andrew Anderson subscribing witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded and Marcus A. Gilliam the Executor named in said Will approved in Open court and accepted the executors of the same and thereupon the said Marcus A. Gilliam together with James A. Nimmo his security appeared in open court and entered into and acknowledged their bond to the State of Tennessee in the penal sum of two hundred dollars conditioned as the law directs and bond was duly qualified
Copy Teste
John J. Bugg
Tennessee Probate Court Books, 1795-1927, Sumner Wills, 1842-1870, Vol. 03, page 254, Image 168 of 271
Sources
- Sumner County, TN, Will Book
- Sumner County, TN: Roll #91 Probate Records (County or Chancery Court) Wills: Vol.: 1-5 Jul 1789-Jul 1904 Tennessee State Library and Archives. Vol. 1: Page 200
- Tennessee Probate Court Books, 1795-1927, Sumner Wills, 1842-1870, Vol. 03, page 254, Image 168 of 271