Updated November 25, 2022
Background
Red River County is separated from Oklahoma by the Red River and from Arkansas by Bowie County. Clarksville, the county seat and largest town, is sixty miles northwest of Texarkana.
Just as the French had disputed Spain's claim to the area near the Red River, so also did American settlers. Claiming that the area was part of the Louisiana Purchase, American hunters and traders were active in the area by 1815, and by 1818 permanent settlement was underway at Jonesborough and Burkham's Settlement. By the mid-1820s settlers had begun to move out onto the prairies, and by 1833 James Clark had settled at the site of present-day Clarksville. Although the early settlers seem to have regarded the area as a part of the United States, when the United States government refused to issue them land titles, many of these settlers turned first to the Mexican government and then to Arthur G. Wavell's agent Benjamin Milam in an attempt to obtain valid land titles. Still, they continued to send representatives to the Arkansas legislature. When the Convention of 1836 met at Washington-on-the-Brazos, the Red River settlements were represented by Richard Ellis, Samuel P. Carson, Robert Hamilton, Collin McKinney, and Albert H. Latimer. Three companies of riflemen were equipped and dispatched to South Texas to participate in the war, but they arrived after the battle of San Jacinto. With the successful conclusion of the Texas Revolution, the United States relinquished its disputed claim to the area south of the Red River.
During the First Congress of the Republic of Texas, the Red River district was little more than a vaguely defined area encompassing all or part of the land of thirty-nine present counties. Red River County was formally delineated by an act signed by President Sam Houston on December 14, 1837, which divided the Red River District into two counties, Fannin and Red River. Red River County, as defined by the 1837 act, included all or part of lands now belonging to Lamar, Hopkins, Delta, Franklin, Titus, Morris, Cass, Marion, and Bowie counties. The act called for the first county courts to be held at LaGrange (later Madras) until a commission to be appointed by the county court could ascertain the proper location for a county seat. When the commissioners chose Clarksville in 1838, some residents of LaGrange tried unsuccessfully to reverse the ruling. New counties established in 1840 and 1846 reduced Red River County to its current size.
Overview
James Gilliam of Red River County, TX, was born in Cumberland County, VA to Charles M. Gilliam and Elizabeth Woodson. James moved to Carroll Co., TN about 1821 and then moved to Ste. Genevieve, MO before eventually settling in Red River County around 1842, Texas.
The above James Gilliam should not be confused Capt (and sometimes referred to as Col) James Gilliam, also of Virginia. This James married Margaret Lorance/Lowrance the daughter of Alexander Lorance and Margaret Young on 2 Apr 1832 in Rutherford County, TN and secondly Alderine Berry on 11 Mar 1859.
Bible
Stone-Gilliam Bible Records
C D Stone’s Book, 30 Sep 1874
Polly Stone [Polly Blair] was born 2 Feb 1821
James B Stone was born 22 Aug 1838
Richard Stone was born 22 Aug 1840
Mary Stone was born 9 May 1842
Catharine Stone was born 12 May 1846, married 28 Jan 1868
Jessamine Stone [Jessamine (Duck) Gilliam], wife of James B Stone was born 3 Nov 1842
William R Stone was born 30 Aug 1861
James S B Stone was born 21 Feb 1863
Mary John Brantley [daughter of Mary Stone] was born 3Mar 1863
W G Gilliam was born 18 Apr 1834
Catherine [Stone], wife of W G Gilliam was born 12 May 1846
Margaret J Gilliam was born 22 Aug 1868,
Mary S Gilliam was born 22 Aug 1868, died 15 Nov 1869
Sally J Gilliam was born 23 Sep 1870, died 16 Jun 1879
William J Gilliam was born 7 Jul 1872
John H Gilliam was born 27 Nov 1876, died 27 Nov 1878
Hattie Boyd Gilliam was born 24 Dec 1880, died 10 Aug 18??
J J Gilliam was born 20 Aug 188?
James B Stone died 9 Apr 1864. Born St Clair Co, Illinois
Mary Brantley [Mary Stone] died 4 Mar 1863
[William Granville Gilliam, the son of Col. James S. Gilliam married Catherine Stone]
Cemeteries
Madras Cemetery, Red River County Texas
Location:
From Clarksville take FM 1159 for about 3 miles to the intersection with FM 1700. Turn east or right onto FM 1700 and go 2.9 miles to CR 3205. Turn right and Shiloh Church and the Madras Cemetery is ahead. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was first organized at Shiloh then moved to Madras about 1892. A deed dated 28 Mar 1892 and filed for record on 28 May 1892 in Book CH Vol 23 page 360 conveyed 'a tract of the Finley Moore survey from P. H. Igo et ux to Shiloh Cemetery-Madras. The oldest marked grave is that of Charles R. Dinwiddie who died 3 Jul 1862
Addie Dinwiddie
1882 - 1961
Charles R Dinwiddie
19 Mar 1842 - 3 Jul 1862
died Camp Butler IL as POW
Elizabeth Dinwiddie
9 Jun 1904 - 31 May 1906 dau of W. J. & N. R.
James Bradley Dinwiddie
26 Nov 1848 - 10 Sep 1868
Lucy E. Dinwiddie
17 Aug 1819 - 25 Sep 1891 wife of William J.
[daughter of James C. Gilliam and Harriet Bagby]
William J. Dinwiddie
5 Jan 1815 - 19 Sep 1873
Nannie Roberta Dinwiddie
1860 - 1938
William Jasper Dinwiddie
1855 - 1934
Seth Thomas Dinwiddie
7 Oct 1859 - 12 Aug 1922
Sarah W. [Dinwiddie] Fulton
29 Jun 1844 - 16 Jun 1912
m. 3 Mar 1868
wife of William [Fulton]
William Fulton
1 Mar 1839 - 19 Jun 1912
Old Shiloh Cemetery
Location:
Take 1159 north for 3.4 miles to the intersection with CR 3202. Then take CR 3202 east or right for 1.1 miles. The cemetery is on the right and is well marked. The cemetery is a part of the S. F. Moore headright survey. The oldest marked burial is that of Mary S. Bagby who died 25 Apr 1836. It was closed for burials in about 1890-1900. There is a deed dated 20 Apr 1901 and filed for record on 22 Apr 1901 conveying 'tract William Wheat survey' from Leopald Silberburg to Old Shiloh Cemetery Association as recorded in Book CH 41 page 164. Then on 6 Jul 1901, instrument and file date, a release of lein from Red River National Bank to Old Shiloh Cemetery Association as recorder in Book CH 38 page 155. Due to the usage of the name 'Shiloh' by the media in reference to funeral services at Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church and then adding 'with burial there', we have elected to use the name on the entrance to the old cemetery.
[It is believed that James & Harriet Gilliam are buried in Old Shiloh Cemetery]
Census
1850 Red River Co., TX
Gilliam, James, age 54 b. VA
Gilliam, Harriet, age 52 b. VA
Gilliam, Charles, age 21
Gilliam, John, age 9
Gilliam, Madison, age 12
Gilliam, Nancy, age 6
[It does not appear that John, Madison and Nancy are the children of James and Harriet. Harriet’s obituary plainly states " reared four daughters and a son to be ornaments of society." The obituary may also explain Madison, John and Nancy: "charity with which she relieved the distressed is known by the regret of the widow's, orphans & destitute in her vicinity".]
Ancestry.com. Year: 1850; Census Place: Red River, Texas; Roll M432_914; Page: 204B; Image: 60.
1850 Red River Co., TX
James Gilliam, age 46, born VA
Margaret Gilliam, age 38, born TN
Martha Gilliam, age 18
William Gilliam, age 16
Mary Gilliam, age 14
Ellen Gilliam, age 10
Jesame Gilliam, age 8
Margaret Gilliam, age 6
James Gilliam, age 1
Ancestry.com. Year: 1850; Census Place: Red River, Texas; Roll M432_914; Page: 215A; Image: 81.
1860, Clarksville, Red River Co., TX
Gilliam, James, age 67 b. VA,
Gilliam, Harriet, age 64 b. VA
Real estate value $7,000,
Personal Property value $13,000.
Ancestry.com. Year: 1860; Census Place: Clarksville, Red River, Texas; Roll M653_1303; Page: 115; Image: 233; Family History Library Film: 805303.
1860 Red River Co., TX
Charles Gilliam, age 31
Nannie Gilliam, age 23
Catherine Gilliam, age 2
Nannie Gilliam, age 1/12
E J Johnson, age 45
Ancestry.com. Year: 1860; Census Place: , Red River, Texas; Roll M653_1303; Page: 74; Image: 151; Family History Library Film: 805303.
1860 Red River Co., TX
James Gilliam, age 57
Alderide Gilliam, age 42
William Gilliam, age 26
Jessamine Gilliam, age 17
Margarett Gilliam, age 15
James Gilliam, age 10
Ancestry.com. Year: 1860; Census Place: , Red River, Texas; Roll M653_1303; Page: 89; Image: 182; Family History Library Film: 805303.
1870 Red River Co., TX
Gilliam, Jas. age 72 b. VA
Tomason, Cinthy, age 28, b. MS
Kimbro, Wesley, age 9 b. AR
Tomason, Jackson, age 4 b. TX
Gilbert, Elder, age 12 b. TX
Allen, Rachel, age 45 b. KY (Black Domestic)
Gilliam, James, age 10 b. AR
Real estate value $3,200
Personal Property value $6,900
Ancestry.com. Year: 1870; Census Place: , Red River, Texas; Roll M593_1602; Page: 82B; Image: 168; Family History Library Film: 553101.
1870 Red River Co., TX
Charles Gilliam, age 40
Mary Gilliam, age 29
Mary Gilliam, age 4
Charles Gilliam, age 2
Albert Gilliam, age 8 months
Ancestry.com. Year: 1870; Census Place: , Red River, Texas; Roll M593_1602; Page: 10B; Image: 24; Family History Library Film: 553101.
1870 Red River Co., TX
Sarah Gilliam, age 73, b GA
[Living in the household of B. F. Pryor]
Ancestry.com Year: 1870; Census Place: , Red River, Texas; Roll M593_1602; Page: 83A; Image: 169; Family History Library Film: 553101.
1880 Red River Co., TX
Henry Home, age 27
Susan Home, age 84
Wm. Gillam, age 22, AL
Ancestry.com. Year: 1880; Census Place: Precinct 3, Red River, Texas; Roll 1323; Family History Film: 1255323; Page: 227A; Enumeration District: 101
1880 Red River Co., TX
William Gilliam, age 46
Catherine Gilliam, age 34
Margaret J. Gilliam, age 12
William Gilliam, age 8
Ancestry.com. Year: 1880; Census Place: Precinct 8, Red River, Texas; Roll 1324; Family History Film: 1255324; Page: 317A; Enumeration District: 106
1900 Red River Co., TX
William J Gilliam, age 27
William G Gilliam, age 66
Catherine D Gilliam, age 54
Jack J Gilliam, age 14
Ancestry.com. Year: 1900; Census Place: Justice Precinct 8, Red River, Texas; Roll T623_1665; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 114.
1910 Red River Co., TX
William G Gilliam, age 76
Catherine Gilliam, age 63
Ancestry.com. Year: 1910; Census Place: Justice Precinct 8, Red River, Texas; Roll T624_1585; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 131; Image: 604.
Court
Henderson vs. James Gilliam & Company
Deeds
21 Jan 1850
Agreement Lorenzo D. Henderson, James Gilliam, Matthew Martin and William Martin agree that $450 is to be expended by Gilliam and Henderson and Matthew and William Martin bind themselves to convey to them 3/4 interest in 830 acres to be laid off to include a mill seat known as “Basin Mill Seat” on tract of 1760 acres owned by Matthew and William Martin. Gilliam and Henderson will erect a water mill at said seat to run a sawmill.
Wit: J A N Murray, W. T. Cornelius.
Red River County, TX, Deed Record H, pg. 319
29 Dec 1851
Deed, Joseph R. Berthelet to James Gilliam, John C. Carter, J. H. B. Dinwiddie, $5000, 11 tracts of land.
[Carter & Dinwiddie are son in laws of James.]
Red River County, TX, Deed Record I, Pg. 300
21 Jan 1852
Deed of Trust, James Gilliam, J. C. Carter and J. H. B. Dinwiddie to Travis G. Wright, $5.00 and other considerations, the 11 tracts as above described, also Negros to-wit: boy Charles 12 yrs., girl Mary, 6 yrs., man Sampson, 35 yrs., boy Sam, 12 yrs. Is to be security for money owed Joseph R. Berthelet, notes being executed, and a draft drawn by Carter and Dinwiddie on Hamilton Mackinder and Co...
Red River County, TX, Deed Record I, Pg. 303
17 Feb 1852
Deed, Enos S. Look to Lorenzo D. Henderson, $?? undivided 1/4 tract of 830 acres on Hudgins Creek including old mill as stated in agreement in 1850 between Henderson, James Gilliam and William and Matthew Martin.
Red River County, TX, Deed Record I, Pg. 338
12 Aug 1851
Deed, James Gilliam to Enos S. Look, $200, for interest in 830 acres on Hudgins Creek, including the mill seat and my interest in the firm.
Wit: Joseph J. Dickson.
Red River County, TX, Deed Record I, Pg. 339
18 Aug 1851
Agreement Is statement that the mill ---- refered to is to be built at the first pine bluff below the site ----- Basin had a mill, and that in the contract the name of E. S. Look is substituted for that of James Gilliam.
Red River County, TX, Deed Record I, Pg. 340
Marriage
| Date | Spouse | |
| 27 Jul 1848 | Sarah J. Gilliam | J. H. B. Dinwiddie |
| 10 Sep 1857 | Ellen Gilliam | James M. Blair |
| 16 Aug 1857 | Martha A. Gilliam | Daniel H. Beardin |
| 18 Nov 1858 | Madison C. Gilliam | Sarah E. Butler |
| 11 Mar 1859 | James Gilliam | Mrs. Alderine [Berry] Hughart |
| 6 Dec 1860 | Jessamine Gilliam | James Stone |
| 20 Jan 1865 | M. C. Gilliam | A. N. Henderson |
| 13 Jul 1865 | M. C. Gilliam | F. M. Blair |
| 23 Jan 1868 | William G. Gilliam | Catherine Stone |
| 12 May 1871 | Missouri Gillum | George Melton |
| 20 May 1871 | Mattie Gilliam | William Simmons |
| 12 Sep 1872 | Lindsay Gilliam | Emily King |
| 22 Mar 1874 | Virginia Gilliam | Jeff Moore |
| 7 Feb 1876 | D. M. Gilliam | Nannie Duer |
| 4 Jun 1880 | Abbie A. Gilliam | J. D. Dumas |
Military
War of 1812
War of 1812, Declaration of Soldier for Pension.
State of Texas, county of Red River, 9 Oct 1872. Personally appeared before me John A. Bagby , clerk of the District Court of Red River County, James Gilliam, aged seventy-four years, a resident of Red River Co., state of Texas.
Declared he was married and his wifes name was Harriet Bagby, whom he married in Buckingham Co., Va., Nov. 1822.
Also states he is the James Gilliam who enlisted in Capt. Joseph McClains company at Cumberland Court House, Virginia in Aug. 1813, discharged at Richmond Va., Feb. 1814. Stated some months after his enlistment he was ordered to Camp Fairfeild below Richmond, Va., afterwards transfered to Capt. Archer’s Company. Served as Pvt.
Act of Feb. 14, 1871.
#28235, James Gilliam, Capt. Joseph McClain ------ to Capt. Archers Co., Virginia Militia.
Enlisted Aug. 1813,
Discharged Feb. 1814.
#28235, Treasurery Dept. Dec. 10, 1871.
Rolls of Capt. Edward Archers Co., of Virginia Militia, that James Gilliam Pvt. served from Aug. 2, 1814 to Feb. 3, 1815.
[It is likely that James married about 1819 instead of 1822. Harriet’s obituary states 1819].
Civil War
15 Jun 1861
C. D. Gilliam, enlists as a private in Capt Gould’s Company (Clarksville Light Infantry) Texas State Troops, CSA.
State of Texas, County of Red River I, N. C. Gueld, Captain, commanding the Clarksville Light Infantry, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the muster roll of said company and contains the names of all the officers and members of said company and that the same was organized in the town of Clarksville, in said county and state, on the 15th day of June, 1861, and that it belongs to the Light Infantry service and that the said company is reported for active service."
Sig: N. C. Gueld, Captain Commanding C. L. I.
Included on list:
Private C. D. Gilliam
22 Jun 1861
I, James Gilliam, captain of the Savannah Blues, do certify that the above is a true roll of the company, that it has organized in Precinct No. 1 of Red River County, that it was ready for active service and belongs to the Infantry army of service, and that the date or organization was the 22nd day of June, 1861."
James Gilliam Captain
On which is the following endorsement, to-wit:
Filed July the 10th, 1861
J. W. Bivins, Clerk
Recorded July the 10th, A. D. 1861.
John W. Bivins, Clerk
Obituary
3 Jan 1864
Obituary of Harriet (Bagby) Gilliam.
Seldom has it fallen to the mournful task of the writer to record a death more generally regretted than that of Mrs. Harriet Gilliam, who left the scenes of earth for the enjoyment of the presence of God on the 3rd. day of January, 1864.
Having lived through the changes of 63 years, passed through the vale of poverty to comparative independence, and reared four daughters and a son to be ornaments of society, she left the earth knowing she had fulfilled her trust. The ordinary course of a virtuous and useful life left nothing remarkable to record except her changes of abode. Born in Buckingham Co., Virginia, she married James Gilliam in 1819 and removed with her husband to Tennessee, in 1821, then to Missouri and ultimately to Texas in 1842.
In all her removals she left behind an enviable name, and a large circle of mourning friends testify to the social virtues of her life. Her domestic virtues were known to all who had the pleasure of entering her abode, and the manners of her now married daughters prove how she reared her family. The ______ charity with which she relieved the distressed is known by the regret of the widow's, orphans & destitute in her vicinity and perhaps the partiality of the writer toward her maybe caused by this knowledge of her character. Above all her fervent piety, and love of God and of his church has embalmed her memory in the minds of christians wherever she was seen. Having lived in communion with God.
Pensions
Declaration of Soldier for Pension.
State of Texas, county of Red River,
9 Oct 1872.
Personally appeared before me John A. Bagby, clerk of the District Court of Red River County, James Gilliam, aged seventy four years, a resident of Red River Co., state of Texas.
Declared he was married and his wife’s name was Harriet Bagby, whom he married in Buckingham Co., Va., Nov. 1822.
He also states that he is the James Gilliam who enlisted in Capt. Joseph McClains company at Cumberland Court House, Virginia in Aug. 1813, discharged at Richmond Va., Feb. 1814. Stated some months after his enlistment he was ordered to Camp Fairfeild below Richmond, Va., afterwards transferred to Capt. Archers Company. Served as Pvt.
Periodicals
24 Apr 1957
6 Dec 1959
Politics
15 July 1848
Republican Party Nominations
[Capt. James Gilliam instead of James C. Gilliam]
Power of Attorney
1858
John Ayers Chambers, son of Edward Chambers & Elizabeth Ayres gave power of Attorney to James Gilliam in Red River County, TX.
[Edward Chambers is a cousin of Harriet Bagby, wife of James Gilliam]
Taxes
1846
James C. GILLIAM
Red River County, TX
Texas Tax List Index, 1840-1849
Wills
11 Nov 1842
Will of James Titus
Know all men by these presents that I James Titus of the Red River and Republic of Texas being now of sound mind and knowing man must die and being solicitous for the welfare of my Family and wanting them to know what disposition that I wish to make of my property after my dissolution do hereby constitute and make this my last will and testament.
First I give and bequeath to my wife Rebeckah Titus the plantation whereon I now live. Beginning at the southeast corner of the tract, thence north so far that a due west line will pass immediately along the north side of the farm to a stake one mile from where we start. West from that stake run due south to the line between my son Andrew Jackson and myself. Thence due east to the beginning. I also give to her my wife Rebeckah the following named Negroes (twt) Aron, Alford, George, Ben, Sarah, Emily, Patty and Julia. I also give her five choice mules, my carriage and carriage horse, ten hogs, the wagon and the team, the house hold furniture and the farming utensils. All the above named property both real and personnel I give to her my wife Rebeckah during her life. I also wish her sister Isabella to live with her on the same terms she has always done. At the death of my wife Rebeckah give and bequeath to my son Andrew Jackson the plantation herein described for her, to him and to his heirs forever. I also give to him my son Andrew Jackson at my wives death my Negro woman Sarah above named. The balance of the of the above described property at the death of my wife I allow to be equally divided amongst my six children (twt) Frazior Titus, Isabella Kimbrough, Andrew Jackson Titus, Robert Edmondson Titus, Thomas Fearin Titus and Mariah Louisa Graham.
Secondly I give to my son Frazior Titus a Negro boy between the age of twelve and fifteen to be bought for him out of the money coming to me from the state of Tennessee . I give to my son Andrew Jackson Titus my Negro man Ned. I give to my son Robert Edmondson Titus my Negro boy Jim. I give to my son Thomas Fearin Titus my Negro boy Green. I give to my daughter Isabella Kimbrough my Negro girl Silvia to them and their heirs forever. I give to my daughter Mariah Louisa Graham my Negro woman Rachel and her child, my Negro woman Adeline and her children and my Negro girl Chaney, those Negroes I give to my daughter Mariah Louisa Graham during natural life, but should she die without a child from her own body said Negroes is to fall back into my estate and to and to be equally divided amongst the balance of my children. I also give to my son Thomas Fearin Titus three hundred and twenty acres of land on the north side of the tract herein described for the use of his mother. I also give to him my son Thomas Fearin Titus one thousand dollars out of the money coming to me in the state of Tennessee when collected. I wish my widowed daughter to remain with their mother until they marry or otherwise dispose of themselves.
All the rest of my property both real and personnel after paying my just debts I allow to be equally divided amongst my six children and I do hereby appoint my sons Andrew Jackson Titus and Thomas Fearin Titus my executors to settle all my business and carry this my last will into effect and further it is my wish that they shall not be bound to give security having full confidence in their honesty and integrity and I recommend to their care particularly their aged mother and Aunt Isabella. In testimony whereof I here unto set my hand and sign this 11th day of November, 1842.
Sig: James Titus
Wit: Augustus W. King, James Gilliam
Filed for record February, 1844
J. C. Hart, clerk
The Republic of Texas probate court February term, 1844 County of Red River. This day came James Gilliam in to open court and after being duly sworn saith that the above and foregoing is the last will and testament of James Titus, that I and James Titus assigned the same and he ____ wrote it and that heather said James Gilliam at the request of the said James Titus did assign the same as a witness. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my official signature in open court at the court house in the town of Clarksville this the 26th day of February, 1844.
W. B. Stout Chief Justice
and Executor Judge of Probate
Registered April 10th A. D. 1844
J. C. Hart, clerk
Book B, Page 124, Clarksville (Texas), March 31st 1845
Dorothy Harty files her petition in vacation of this Court for letters of administration upon the estate of Dennis Harty dec. and the same having been advertised as the law directs in such case made and provided. It is therefore ordered by the court that Dorothy Harty be appointed administratix to the estate of the said Dennis Harty decd, and whereupon the said Dorothy c. in to court and entered into bond of two thousand dollars and gave as securities A.J. Titus and A.S. Beard whereupon letters issued accordingly.
On motion it is ordered by the court that James Gilliam, Peter M. Titus and Charles C. Millbourn be they are hereby appointed appraiser to the estate of Dennis Harty decd. And that they report the same to the next term of this court according to law.
Probate Court July Term 1848 (Clarksville, Texas) –
Red River County, Book B, Pg. 404, No 189
Jonathan Harty Administrator of the Estate of Dorothy Harty deceased
And now at this day came the petitioner and this cause coming on to be heard and the petitioner having in vacation filed his petition praying for letters of administration upon the Estate of Dorothy Harty deceased and the same having been regularly advertised as required by law and there being no objections filed or made in this Court on motion of said petitioner it is ordered that letters of administration issued to said applicant upon his entering into bond as required by law in the sum of four hundred dollars.
Whereupon the said Jonathan Harty appeared in open court and tendered his bond in the sum of four hundred dollars with John Harty and James Gilliam as his securities who each severally signed sealed and acknowledged the same in open court for the sum of four hundred dollars conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties as administrator of said estate which being upon motion of said administrator was approved by the court whereupon the court administered the oath prescribed by law to said Jonathan Harty as administrator of said estate. It is therefore ordered by the court that said bond be filed and that letter of administration issue which was done accordingly. And upon motion of said administrator it is ordered James A. Kinkn, Jesse Walker and Andrew J. Titus be and they are hereby appointed appraisers to view and appraise all property belonging to said estate and that they report their proceedings at the next term of this court and it is further ordered that said administrator report his proceedings at the next term of this court.
25 Jul 1869
Will of Aldarine Gilliam
Give to my stepson, James J Gilliam, a horse, bridle, saddle in value of $100.
The rest of my property give to my husband James S. Gilliam.
Wit: William H Flemming and William Larence
Sig: Alderine Gilliam (her X mark)
[Alderine Berry was the second wife of Col James S. Gilliam of Red River. Her first husband was Edward Hugart]
Red River County, Book ____, Pg. _____
24 May 1879
Estate of James Gilliam
"In Co Court to the Hon Wm. E. Wooten Judge of the County Court of Red River County, Texas setting in Matters of Probate the Petition of Charles H Bassano, a resident citizen of Lamar County Texas, would respectfully represent that James Gilliam died intestate in Red River County, Texas,
within the last twelve months leaving an estate consisting of lands and a small amount of personal property in Red River County of the probable value of five hundred dollars. That said Gilliam left some heirs, who will not administer on said estate. That petitioner is one of the firm of Bassano
Pros who are the largest creditors of the estate; that said estate owes over one thousand dollars, to said Bassano Bros secured by lien on the real estate; and that they have no means of collecting their debt, except by an administration of said estate. Wherefore he prays that after due and legal notice that letters of administration may issue to your petitioner that he be appointed administrator of the estate of James Gilliam Dec’d, and for all proper relief general and special."
J. A. Bagby, Clerk on behalf of Charles H. Bassano by his attorneys E. L. and R. B. Dohoney
Sources
- Ancestry.com. Census Records
- Red River County, TX, Deed Records
- Texas Tax List Index, 1840-1849