Updated December 14, 2011
Background
Rockingham was formed in 1785 from Guilford. It was named in honor of Charles Watson-Wentworth, Second Marquis of Rockingham, who was a leader of a party in the British Parliament which advocated American independence. He was Prime Minister when the Stamp Act was repealed. It is in the north central section of the State and is bounded by Caswell, Guilford and Stokes counties and the State of Virginia. The present land area is 566.44 square miles.
The first court was held at the home of Adam Tate, at which time the justices were to decide on the place for holding future courts until the courthouse could be erected. In 1787 an act was passed which directed the courthouse to be erected on the land of Charles Mitchell on the east side of Big Rock House Creek. In 1796 an act was passed authorizing the purchase of land from Robert Galloway & Company, where public buildings were situated, and the community of Wentworth was established. In 1797 an act was passed suspending operations on the Wentworth courthouse. In 1798 commissioners were named to establish Wentworth on land given by Robert Galloway for that purpose. The first court was held at Wentworth in May, 1799. Wentworth is the county seat.
Overview
William Johns Gilliam, the son of John Richardson Gilliam and Judith Robertson, removed to Rockingham County, NC prior to 1820. His cousin Hobson Gilliam, son of Isham Richardson Gilliam and Sarah Johns, followed and then married William’s sister and first cousin, Martha Jane Gilliam.
Census
1820
Richard Guilliam
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 1
Total Free White Persons: 1
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 1
William Guilliams
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: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 6
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 10
William T Gilliam
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 3
Number of Persons - Engaged in Manufactures: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 1
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 3
1830
William J Gillam
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
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 - 30 thru 39: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 1
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 2
Slaves - Males - 55 thru 99: 1
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 3
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total Slaves: 8
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 15
1840
H Gilliam [Hobson Gilliam]
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 2
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 2
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 2
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 5
Free White Persons - Under 20: 4
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total Slaves: 7
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 14
W J Gilliam
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 1
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 3
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 1
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 1
Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 8
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total Slaves: 9
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 19
1850
Wm J Gilliam
Age: 54
Birth Year: abt 1796
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Eastern District, Rockingham, North Carolina
Gender: Male
Family Number: 218
Wm J Gilliam, age 54
Judith Gilliam, age 50
S C Gilliam, age 18
L F Gilliam, age 16
W R Gilliam, age 21
A A Gilliam, age 14
L C Gilliam, age 12
J A Gilliam, age 10
M C Gilliam, age 8
1860
William J Gilliam
Age in 1860: 64
Birth Year: abt 1796
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Northern Division, Rockingham, North Carolina
Gender: Male
Post Office: Oregon Hill
William J Gilliam, age 64
Judith Gilliam, age 62
Elizabeth Gilliam, age 33
William R Gilliam, age 31
Louisa F Gilliam, age 22
Adaline Gilliam , age26
John Gilliam, age 21
Cornelia Gilliam, age 24
Melissa Gilliam , age19
1870
W G Gilliam
Age in 1870: 74
Birth Year: abt 1796
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Oregonville, Rockingham, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Ruffin
W G Gilliam, age 74
Elizabeth Gilliam, age 25
Louisa F Gilliam, age 23
Melissa C Gilliam, age 18
Lucretia C Gilliam, age 16
Calvin Gilliam
Age in 1870: 51
Birth Year: abt 1819
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1870: Oregonville, Rockingham, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Ruffin
Calvin Gilliam, age 51
Mary E Gilliam, age 44
James W Gilliam, age 20
Robert W Gilliam, age 18
Melissa A Gilliam, age 16
John K Gilliam, age 19
Thomas C Gilliam, age 11
Jason B Gilliam, age 9
Ardena C Gilliam, age 5
Richd Gilliam
Age in 1870: 32
Birth Year: abt 1838
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1870: Wentworth, Rockingham, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Wentworth
Richd Gilliam, age 32
Lanier Gilliam, age 24
William E Gilliam, age 2
A W Wray
Age in 1870: 67
Birth Year: abt 1803
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1870: Wentworth, Rockingham, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Wentworth
A W Wray, age 67
Polly Wray, age 70
Amelia Wray, age 40
Atwell L Gilliam, age 29, coach maker
1880
R. S. Gillam
Age: 42
Birth Year: abt 1838
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Williamsburg, Rockingham, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Clerk In Store
R. S. Gillam, age 42
Lou M. Gillam, age 38
William E. Gillam, age 12
Atwell Gillam, age 40
James Gilliam
Age: 28
Birth Year: abt 1852
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1880: Oregonville, Rockingham, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Occupation: Farming
James Gilliam, age 28
Elizabeth Gilliam, age 50
Fannie Gilliam, age 45
Cornelia Gilliam, age 40
Caroline Gilliam, age 35
Jason B. Gilliam, age 19
Caroline A. Gilliam, age 14
Clovus [?] McCallum, age 19
Robert Gilliam
Age: 24
Birth Year: abt 1856
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1880: Oregonville, Rockingham, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Occupation: Works In Farm
Robert Gilliam, age 24
Wm. S. Carter
Age: 39
Birth Year: abt 1841
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Oregonville, Rockingham, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Cornilia L. Carter
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Martha A. Carter
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Wm. S. Carter, age 39
Cornilia L. Carter, age 35
James H. Carter, age 13
Annie M. Carter, age 11
Virginia E. Carter, age 8
Lucy D. Carter, age 4
Josie Carter, age 6m
Martha A. Carter, age 60
Thos. Gilliam, age 20, works on farm
John Gilliam, age 22, works on farm
Mary Nance, age 18
Lewis Wilson, age 20
Deeds
15 Sep 1841:
Hobson Gilliam to George Courts on the waters of Lick Creek, 86½ acres minus 1/2 acre upon which schoolhouse stood adjoining Robert Court’s old line, William J. Gilliam, and Samuel Adcock.
Wit: Aaron P. Robertson, Henry Moore
Rockingham County, NC, Deed Book 2 L, page 359
Wills
9 May 1844
Will of Hobson Gilliam
I Hobson Gilliam of the County of Rockingham, State of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory, but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and ___ this my last Will and Testament in manner and following that is to say
First, that my executor hereinafter named shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever and to whosoever owing out of the monies that may first come into their hands as a part or parcel of my estate
Item. I lend to my beloved wife Martha Gilliam one third part of this tract of land that I now upon including my dwelling house and such other out house as belong thereto also three negroes namely Ellick, Sophia and Hannah during her natural life which is in lieu of her thirds and year’s allowance also one third part of my household kitchen furniture and stock of every description and at her death to be equally divided among all my children
Item the remainder of my estate my will is that my executor shall permit it all to remain in the hands of my wife and family until my oldest son, Richard H. Gilliam becoming of lawful age and all my children be supported and suitably educated and at the time my execution shall pay to my son Richard H. Gilliam one thousand dollars in Negro property all negroes when so valued I give to him and his heirs forever.
Item. The remainder of my estate to remain hereto for above mentioned until the ___ of my children shall each and severally arrive at the lawful age as my two daughters Sarah J. Gilliam and Frances M. Gilliam marries at either of which times I give to each one thousand dollars to be valued to them in Negro property in like manner as to my son Richard H. Gilliam which Negroes when so valued I give to them and their heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my two sons John H. Gilliam and Edward J. Gilliam when they arrive at lawful age my son John M. Gilliam, the upper half of the tract of land that I now live upon dividing the Creek land as nearly equally as can be done by my executors the lower half to my son Edward J. Gilliam each of which halves of my said tract of land subject equally to their mother’s thirds which said land I give to my two sons and their heirs forever.
Item. Now should my beloved wife Martha at any time between now and the time of my youngest child arriving at lawful age marry, then and in that case my Will is that a division shall take place as herein above specified lending to my said wife one third part of the crop and stock and household and kitchen furniture, plantation tools, etc during her life and then to be equally divided amongst all my children.
Item. My will is after supporting my family al the monies arising from my crops and other ____ shall first be applied to my just debts and then to the payment of several legacies herein before specified. In case of deficiency in the negro property otherwise to be equally divided among all my children taking in consideration the land given to my two sons John M. Gilliam and Edward J. Gilliam at one thousand dollars each.
Also should my executors think it advisable to sell my negro man Lawson, my will is they should do so applying the money arising form the said sale to the payment of the said legacies herein before named as to be divided among all my children as laid out in other negroes for the same purposes and costly.
I do constitute and appoint my two brothers in law William J. Gillam, J. Gilliam, and Archer W. Robertson my lawful executors to execute this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I Hobson Gilliam have hereunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of May eighteen hundred and forty four
Sig: Hobson Gilliam
Signed, sealed and published and declared by the said Hobson Gilliam to be his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto
Wit: Joseph Hooper, Abner M. Compton
State of North Carolina
Rockingham County
August Term 1844
The execution of the last will and testament of Hobson Gilliam was duly proved in open court by the oaths of Joseph Hooper and Abner M. Compton the two subscribing witnesses thereto and the same admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded.
Whereas I Hobson Gilliam have made my last will and testament in writing bearing date on the ninth day of may eighteen hundred and forty four and thereby made sundry legacies and divisions I do by this my writing which I hereby declare to be a codicil to my said will and curiat that if either of my two youngest sons, John M. Gilliam or Edward J. Gilliam shall die before they arrive of lawful age then I give to my stated son Richard H. Gilliam the land herein willed to me dying in lieu of the negro property will to him and his part of the negro property equally divided between all my surviving children. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the tenth day of May eighteen hundred and forty four.
Sig: Hobson Gilliam
Witnesses to the foregoing codicil
Signed and sealed and delivered and declared by the said Hobson Gilliam to be a codicil or part of his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in presence of each other do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto
Sig: Joseph Hooper, William Robertson
When Wm J. Gilliam one of the execs named in the Will came forward and qualified
State of North Carolina
Rockingham County
August Term 1844
The execution of the forgoing codicil was duly proved in open court by the oaths of Joseph Hopper and William Robertson the subscribing witnesses thereto and same admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded
Teste T. B. Wheeler
[Hobson GILLIAM is the son of Isham Richardson GILLIAM, Sr., of Buckingham and Sarah Johns, his wife married Martha Jane GILLIAM, the daughter of John Richardson GILLIAM of Buckingham and Judith Robertson, his wife. Since Isham and John are brothers, Hobson and Martha are first cousins. After Hobson's death, Martha returned to Buckingham County, VA.]
Familysearch.org. North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970. Rockingham, Wills, 1844-1864, Vol. C, page 13, Image 10 of 220
Will of Hobson GILLIAM
Dated 9 May 1844
Wife Martha GILLIAM
sons: Richard H. GILLIAM (oldest, but a minor), John M. GILLIAM, Edward J. GILLIAM.
dau: Sarah J. GILLIAM, Frances M. GILLIAM.
Exors: Two brothers-in-law: William J. GILLIAM, J. Gilliam, Archer W. Robertson
Wit: Joseph Hooper, Abner M. Compton, William Robertson
Rec: Aug 1844
Rockingham County, NC, Will Book C, page 13.
Will of Martha GILLIAM
1891
Rockingham County, NC, Will Book A, page 135
Will of Sarah Elizabeth GILLIAM
Dated 24 Feb 1904
Sister: Malissa C. GILLIAM, Lot No. 1 in division of W. J. GILLIAM's lands of Wolf Island Creek, containing 126 acres, one-third interest in Lot No. 4, adj. P. B. Johnston and W. S. Carter, containing, 127 acres, one-third interest in Lot No. 3, adj W. S. Carter and L. C. GILLIAM, containing 140 acres.
Nephews: George W. Burton, J. R. Burton.
signed: Sarah Elizabeth GILLIAM
Wit: G. W. French, J. A. Benton, W. T. Hagood
Rockingham County, NC,
[Sarah Elizabeth GILLIAM is the daughter of William Johns GILLIAM, the son of John Richardson GILLIAM of Buckingham County, VA and Judith Robertson; and Judith Ann GILLIAM, the daughter of Richard Curd GILLIAM and Mary Robertson, his wife. John Richardson GILLIAM and Richard Curd GILLIAM are brothers, and Judith Robertson and Mary Robertson are sisters, making William and Judith Ann first cousins.]
Sources