Dated 9 November 1809
Probated 19 May 1813
Updated November 24, 2022
In the name of God Amen, I, James GILLIAM of Powhatan County, do make this my last will and testament, revoking all others. My will and desire is that all my just debts be paid, and should I not have money sufficient for that purpose, it is my wish that such part of my Estate, that can be most conveniently spared, be sold, and the proceeds appropriate to the discharge of the same.
I leave unto my dearly beloved wife, Susannah GILLIAM, during her life, the free use of the tract of land whereon I now live, as also all the Negroes, and other personal property, which I may die possessed of, and at her death that the Negroes, and other personal property, be sold on a credit of twelve months; and the amount there of distributed in manner following, that is to say: one fourth part to go to my daughter Elizabeth Dillon, one fourth to go to my daughter Martha Carrington, one fourth part to go to my son John GILLIAM, and the remaining fourth part to be equally divided amongst the legitimate children of my son, Charles M. GILLIAM. At the death of my wife, Susannah GILLIAM, I give unto my son, John GILLIAM, the tract of land whereon I now live, and all other land I may die possessed of, to him and his heirs forever. It is my will and desire that any property to which I may heretofore have given to any of my children shall not be considered in the division herein directed, but that no notice shall be taken of the same. I now constitute and appoint Edward Dillon, Paul J. Carrington, and my son, John GILLIAM, Executors to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 21st day of November 1809.
Sig: James GILLIAM
In presence of
Wm. Steger
Wm. McLaurine
John H. Steger
Isham Steger
At a Court of monthly session holden for the county of Powhatan of the 19th day of May 1813, this instrument of writing was presented in Court and proven to be the last will and testament of James GILLIAM by the oaths of Wm. Steger, William McLaurine, and Isham Steger, subscribing witnesses thereto, and was thereupon ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of John GILLIAM one of the Executors therein named, who entered into bond with security and took the oath prescribed by law, a certificate is granted him for obtaining probation of the said will in due form.
Teste Wm. S. Dance
Know all men by these present, that we John Gilliam and Edward Dillon are held and firmly bound unto Wm Hickman, Wm Moseley, and John H. Steger, and Benjamin Watkins, Gentlemen Justices of the Court of Powhatan County, now sitting in the just and full sum of ten thousand dollars to the payment whereof well and truly to be made to the said Justices and their successors we bind ourselves and each of us our and each of our heirs executors and administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated the 19th day of May one thousand eight hundred and 13 and in the 37th year of the Commonwealth.
The condition of the above obligation is such that if the said John Gilliam exor of James Gilliam decd do made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased, which have or shall come to the hands, possession of knowledge of him, the said John Gilliam or unto the hands or possession of any other person or persons for him, the said John Gilliam and the same so made do exhibit unto the said county Court at such time as he shall be thereto required by the said court and the same goods, chattels, and credits do well and truly administered according to law and make a just and true account of all his actings and doing therein when thereunto required by the said court and further do well and truly pay and deliver all the legacies contained and specified in the said Will as far as the said goods, chattels, and credits will extend according to the value thereof and as the law shall charge him then this obligation to be void or else to remain in full force.
Sig: John Gilliam
Signed, sealed, acknowledged and delivered in the presence of Powhatan County Court the 19th day of May 1813 and ordered to be recorded.
Sig: John Gilliam, Ed. Dillon
Teste
William S. Dance
Account of Estate of James GILLIAM
Will Book 7, page 214
Powhatan County, VA
John GILLIAM, Executor| Date | Item | Subtotal | Total |
1820, Mar 28 | To Cash paid Sherwood Fowler for ______ the Negroes ____ at sale | 5 | |
| This sum paid Wm Howard for making a coffin for Susannah GILLIAM | 10 | ||
| Cash paid Mr. Kirkpatrick for preaching funeral | 20 | ||
35 | |||
1815 Decr 14 | By balance due the Est. as settled by Commrs. And returned to Powhatan court & recorded _____ | 65.62 | 65.65 |
1819 Aug | By Cash left by Susan GILLIAM at her death | 15.59 | 15.59 |
1820 Dec 22 | By sale of property agreeable to the will of James GILLIAM as follows ___John GILLIAM | ||
1820 Dec 22 | 1 Negro man Manuel | 755 | |
| 1 Negreo boy Rowe | 500 | ||
| 1 Negreo boy Jesse | 500 | ||
| 1 Negro girl Patt | 330 | ||
| 1 Sorrell mare | 30 | ||
| 1 spinning wheel | 1.5 | ||
| 1 chesh real ? | 1.25 | ||
| 1 lot tin ware | 1.25 | ||
| 1 small pine table | 1.5 | ||
| 1 bed blanket | 2.25 | ||
| 1 bed | 30 | ||
| 16 head sheep | 26.67 | ||
| 1 pr ___yards | 3 | ||
| 2264.42 | |||
| To William M. Thornton | |||
| 1 Brass candle stick and snuffers | 1.5 | ||
| William Guthrey | |||
| Knives and forks | 1.75 | ||
| 1 Walnut table | 8.63 | ||
| 1 lot crockery and glass | 3 | 13.38 | |
| Account brought forward | 2360.57 | ||
| William B. Palmore for | |||
| 1 pine press | 3.25 | ||
| 2 large dishes and some plates | 2.05 | 5.5 | |
| Carrol M. Shepherd | |||
| 1 bed and furniture | 42 | ||
| 2 table cloths | 3 | ||
| 1 looking glass | 0.65 | 45.65 | |
| Paul J. Carrington | |||
| 1 Negro man Jackson | 645 | ||
| 1 loom | 2.5 | ||
| 1 beds | 30 | ||
| 1 pr sheets | 5 | ||
| 1 blanket | 3 | ||
| 2 counterpanes | 8 | ||
| 1 bellmettle skillet | 6 | ||
| 1 pr fire dogs | 3 | 702.5 | |
| Benajah Brown for | |||
| 2 pr pot hooks & 2 pots Spider oven and tea kettle | 2.15 | 2.15 | |
| Samuel Shepherd for | |||
| Oven flax wheel | 3 | 3 | |
| Elizabeth Dillon | |||
| 1 Negro boy Dobion | 745 | ||
| 1 Negro woman Maria | 700 | ||
| 1 Negro Woman Joan, her son Bill & daughter Jane | 655 | ||
| 1 Bed and furniture | 40 | 2140 | |
| James Chrisp | |||
| 1 pr sheets & pillow cases | 7 | ||
| 5266.09 | |||
1820 | To amt brought forward | 35 | |
| Commission on $5225.84 @ 5 ddents as allowed by the Commissioners | 261.29 | ||
22 Dec | Balance due the estate | 4989.55 | |
| 5285.84 | |||
| The balance of the opposite page due 22 December 1820 to be paid to the legatees in equal proportions with interest from said 22 December 1820 as follows: | |||
| To the representatives of Chas GILLIAM dec | 1247.38 3/4 | ||
| To Elizabeth Dillon | 1247.38 3/4 | ||
| To Martha Carrington | 1247.38 3/4 | ||
| To John GILLIAM | 1247.38 3/4 | ||
| 4989.55 | |||
1820 | Amount brot forward | 5266.09 | |
| Interest on $65.62 from 14th Dec 1815 to 22 December 1820 being the balance as herein stated being due the Est. in former settlement | 19.75 | ||
| 5285.84 | |||
22 Dec | By balance due the Estate _____ subject to a division agreeable to the Will | $4,989.55 | |
| In obedience to an order of Cumberland County Court made We have this day proceed to settle the account of John GILLIAM Executor of James GILLIAM decd we find a balance in his hands on the 22 December 1820 due to the Estate $4989.55 which amount we have allowed and divided among the legatees according to the will of the said James GILLIAM as stated above Witness our hands this 25th day of June 1822, Wm. M. Thornton, Maurice Langhorne, B. Brown, At a Court held for Cumberland County the 22 day of March 1824. This account was presented in Court. Ordered that the same be recorded. Teste John Daniel |
Sources
- Powhatan County, VA, Will Book 4, page 177
- Powhatan County, VA, Will Book 7, page 214