Updated December 24, 2025
Background
Richmond County was named either for Richmond Borough in Surrey, England, or for the late-seventeenth-century duke of Richmond. It was formed from Old Rappahannock County in 1692. Its area is 203 square miles, and the county seat is Warsaw. Some record books were damaged and mutilated due to unknown causes; additionally, the will books prior to 1699 were missing as early as 1793, and order books for the period 1794-1816 are also missing.
[Old Rappahannock County was formed in 1656 from Lancaster County. It became extinct in 1692 when it was divided in into Essex and Richmond Counties. Information on the GILLIAMs of Old Rappahannock County may be found on both the Essex and Richmond County GILLIAM pages.]
Parishes
Hanover Parish, 1713-1720
Lunenburg Parish, 1732
North Farnham Parish, 1692
Richmond Parish, 1691-
Saint Mary's Parish 1692-1713
Sittenburne Parish, 1692-1732
Trinity Parish, 1692-1732
Overview
The GILLIAMs of Richmond County generally spell their name GUILLIAMS. They are associated with Suggett family. This family settled in Franklin County, VA. Richard appears to be the son of Richard Gilliam of Essex and Ann Smith, his wife. Richard is mentioned in his mother Ann's Will.
Court Orders
Court Order: John Span Webb Plt against Owen Brady, Guilliams Attendance
On the motion of Richard Guilliams a Witness for John Span Webb Plt against Owen Brady Deft This ordered the said Plt pay him two Hundred & Seventy five pounds of Tobo for Eleven Days attendance at this Court according to Law.
On the motion of Mary Guilliams a Witness for John Span Webb Plt against Owen Brady Deft It is Ordered the said Plt pay her two hundred & Seventy five pounds of Tob for Eleven Days attendance at this Court according to Law
Order Book 12, 1746-1752, Richmond County, VA, p235
Court Order: Summons
7 Aug 1750
On the motion of Mary Guilliams who was Summond a witness for James and Landman to prove the Nuncupative Will of Betty Plumoner deced, is Orderd the said James Landman pay her fifty pounds of Tobo for two days attendance at this Court according to Law
Order Book 12, 1746-1752, Richmond County, p260
Court Order: Landman vs Smith
6 Aug 1750
On the motion of James Landman by Charles Beals his Attorney at the last Court setting forth that Betty Plummer Late of this County deced had made a nuncupative Will and that the same was reduced into writing by John Woodbridge Gent one of the Justices for this County at the request of John Smith Eldest Brother and heir at Law to the said Decedant, and he refusing to produce the same it was ordered that of Roger Williams and Elizabeth his Wife Dorothy Croucher, Betty Ann Hill, Mary Guilliams and Catherine Landman be summoned to appear at this Court to prove the said Will
Order Book 12, 1746-1752, Richmond County, VA, p262
Court Order
1 Oct 1750
Richard Guilliam his Petition against Travers Colston Executor of Daniel Homby deced for four pounds ten shillings and six pence said to be due by account is Dismissed being agreed by the parties
Order Book 12, 1746-1752, Richmond County, p273
Court Order
6 May 1751
On the motion of Mary Guilliams who was Summond a witness for James and Landman to prove the Nuncupative Will of Betty Plumoner deced, is Orderd the said James Landman pay her Twenty five pounds of Tobo for one days attendance at this Court according to Law
Order Book 12, 1746-1752, Richmond County, p323
Court Order
2 Sep 1751
Richard Gwilliams having been duly summond by the Sheriff to answer the Presentment of the Grand jury against him for not going to his Parish Church for one month; and being now called and not appearing order'd that he make his find by the payment of Five Shillings or Fifty pounds of Sold for the use of the poor of the Parish of North Farnham and that he also pay the costs of this prosecution
Order Book 12, 1746-1752, Richmond County, Virginia, p340
Court Order: Orphan
5 May 1753
Ordered the Churchwardens of North Farnham Parish for the time being bind Edgcomb and Sarah Williams Orphans of Richard Gwilliams deced according to Law ---
Order Book 13, 1752-1755, Richmond County, VA, p24
Court Order
2 Apr 1764
Church Wardens vs Lucy Guilliams, debt
Order Book 15, 1762-1765, Richmond County, VA, 203
Court Order
7 May 1764
Church Wardens vs Lucy Guilliams, dismised
Order Book 15, 1762-1765, Richmond County, VA, 230
Deeds
Deed: John Landman of the County of Richmond & parish of Lunenburg Planter of the one part Richard Gwylliam of the same Parish & County Planter
2 Dec 1734
Eighty Acres be the same more or Less bounded by the Land of Tobias Purcell formerly belonging to Thoms Pound of this County decd & by the Line of Robt Smith & by the line of Edwd Minty
Wit: Thoms Nash, Edwd Mentey, Willm Fleming
Deed Book 9, 1734-1741, Richmond County, VA, p90
Deed: Richard Guilliam and Mary to Robert Smith
28 Sep 1740
Richard Guilliam’s & Mary his Wife of The Par of Lunenburg in the County of Richmond of the one part and Robt Smith, seven acres, Wit: Moses Seamons, Joseph Landman, Joseph Russel, Junr.
Deed Book 9, 1734-1741, Richmond County, VA, p627
Deed Release: Richard Guilliam and Mary to Robert Smith
9 Sep 1740
seven acres, Wit: Moses Seamons, Joseph Landman, Joseph Russel, Junr.
Rec: 6 Oct 1740
Deed Book 9, 1734-1741, Richmond County, VA, 629
Deed: Aaron Seamons to Moses Seamons
21 Oct 1740
50 acres, Along to a Branch that Divides this Land and Richd Alderson’s Land thence up the Sd Branch to a Forked white The Corner to this Land in the Line of Richd Gilliams Land thence along of sd Gwilliams Line to afsd Corner tree, that Land & in the Line of Richd Guilliams standing and head of a Branch near a Gwilliams pasture thence Down the sd Branch to the Main Swamp thence Down the sd Swamp thence a Cross ye sd Swamp to a branch & up the sd Swamp to the place where it first began
Deed Book 9, 1734-1741, Richmond County, VA, p635
Deed: Richard Gwiliam and Mary to William Walker
3 May 1742
40 acres, purchased of John by the said Richard Gwilliam And being Bounded as followeth (viz) Begining at a Red oath Corner tree between the sd Wm Walker and Edward Mintey’s Land thence along the said Mintey Line to a corner stake. Thence along a line of marked Tree to oak which Stake in ye Line that Devides this Land and the Land of that formerly belonged to Moses Seamans Deceased
Wit: John Raynolds, Thos Hutchinson
Deed Book 10, 1741-1750, Richmond County, VA, p83
Deed: Richard Gwilliam to Edward Minty
3 May 1742
Seventy Two acres Situate lying and Being in the afored County on the west side of swamp Runing from the said Swamp to Henry Willson
Wit: John Landman, Wm Northen, Anne Smith
Deed Book 10, 1741-1750, Richmond County, VA, p85
Depositions
Deposition
17 Mar 1749
This day came before me one of his Majesties Justices for the said County Roger Williams and his wife Elizabeth, Mary Guilliams, Betty Anor Hill, Dorothy Croucher and Katherine Landman and having been first sworn on the holy Evangelists of God the truth to say:
Mary Guilliams Sayeth that on Friday night between the Sixteenth and seven teenth day of this Instant March She heard the said late Mrs Betty Plummer say that she desired that her Brothers Son Edward Smith should have half her Estate and Kate and George and that she desired Capt John Smith her Brother to see her will performed but saying the more her said Brother told her she had only told him some part of her will to whom she Answered that Roger Williams would tell him the rest
Account Book 1, 1724-1783, Richmond County, Virginia: p343
Landowner's Directory
1716
Richd GWILLIAMS, 80 acres
Marriages
5 May 1764
William Ives and Lucy GUILLIAMS, bond 5 May 1764. Bond John Hammock
Marriage of Richmond County, VA 1668-1853 by George H. S. King
Parish
28 Feb 1742
Edgcomb GWILLIAMS, son of Richard and Mary GWILLIAMS, born 28 Feb 1742
Registers of North Farnham Parish 1693-1814 and Lunenburg Parish 1783-1800 Richmond County, VA by George Harrison Sanford King.
17 Apr 1746
Sarah Hill GWILLIAMS, daughter of Richard and Mary GWILLIAMS born 17 Apr 1746
Registers of North Farnham Parish 1693-1814 and Lunenburg Parish 1783-1800 Richmond County, VA by George Harrison Sanford King.
Taxes
Property Taxes
William Haiford} Wm Haiford, Edgecomb Guilliams
Personal Property Taxes, 1787, Richmond County, VA
Property Tax Records
Property Taxes
Edgecomb Guilliams
Personal Property Taxes, 1788, Richmond County, VA
Property Tax Records
Property Taxes
1789
GUILLIAMS, Edgcomb, page 5, List A
Binns Genealogy. 1790/1800 County Tax Lists of Virginia.
Wills
22 Nov 1729
Will of Christopher Pridham
Son Christopher, Jr., all land at the courthouse which goes by the name of the Ordinary, if he has noe heirs, to son Edward and son William and the child wife now goes with son
Christopher all plant. and land whereon Thomas Bristell lives;
son Christopher to pay 2000 lbs to tobacco to child wife now goes with when it reaches 21;
son Edward 50 acres of land;
son William;
son John;
daus. Anne Freshwater and Elizabeth Hopwood;
Ex. wife Mary and fr. Robert Tomlin.
Wit: Thomas Nash, Jr., Richard Gwillam
Rec: 2 Jun 1731
Headley, Jr. Robert K. Wills of Richmond County, Virginia, 1699-1800. Clearfield Press.
Richmond County, VA, Will Book 5, 1725-1753, page 164
[In Essex, Ann Berwick mentions in her Will dated 9 Feb 1731/32, "well beloved son Richard Gwillliam" and "well beloved daughter Aggatha Nash."]
18 Apr 1735
Will of Anne Raynolds
Grandson: Thomas Hutchinson
Grandaughter: Susannah Longworth
Son: Andrew Hutchinson
Son-in-law: John Debord
William Coward may take his daughter that is bound to me.
No Exec.
Wit: Robert GWILLIAM, Robert Smith, John Alderson
Rec. 7 Mar 1736/37
Headley, Jr. Robert K. Wills of Richmond County, Virginia, 1699-1800. Clearfield Press.
Richmond County, VA, Will Book 5, 1725-1753, page 302
Will of Moses Seamons
24 Aug 1741 • Richmond County, Virginia
Will of Moses Seamons. . . . All land on the northwest side of the branch adjoining the land of Richard Gwilliam and Edward Minty to be sold. . . Wit: Benjamin Rust, Ephraim Seamons, Aaron Simons. Rec: 3 May 1742
1725-1753 Richmond County, Virginia Will Book 5 [Robert K. Headley, Jr.]; Page 398
The Estate of George Hammond
6 Jul 1747
... Edgecomb Suggett
Saml Peachey, Thomas Samford, Edgecomb Suggett, Edwd Bates, Thomas Plumer Gent, William Hamond, John Hamond, Richard Gwilliams, John Harriss... Daniell Hornby Gent
Account Book 1, 1724-1783, Richmond County. Account Records 1724–1783, p278
13 Oct 1749
Will of Daniel Hornby
Travers Colston, Jr. all estate, if he has no heirs, to Rawleigh Colston, and, if he has no heirs, to William Beale, Jr.; The estate to be in the care of Capt. William Beale and Mr. Travers Colston during the minority of Travers Colston, Jr.; asks that William Nash and wife be allowed to live at dwelling plantation or at the ferry; Taverner Beale one diamond ring of 20 # sterling value whereon shall be engraved "Be true to your trust "; Capt. Travers Tarpley and his son Samuel Travers Tarpley; Robert Tomlin, Jr.; Winifred Beale; It is my will that Travers Colston Jr. be suitably maintained and educated out of the profit of my estate and that there be a Latin master employed at the rate of 20 # sterling a year for the space of five years. Against he at 10 years old. Which master shall have his residence at my now dwelling house during the said term and shall be obliged to teach 10 scholars and to take no more at any one time during the said term. One of which shall be, if Mr.William Beale pleases, his son William who shall be accomodated with the said Travers and master at the expense of my said estate and likewise Mr. Colston's son William shall be another when he is fit to be put to the Latin and shall be accomodated as aforesaid. The remainder shall be made up by this neighborhood by such as will put their children to learn Latin, particular Mr. Thomas Samford, the two Mr. Webb's, and Mr. Edgecomb Suggett whom I desire may have the preference of making up the vacancy with sons that are fit to be taught Latin from time to time during the said five years; Charles Colston; Thomas Beale; Capt. William Beale; William Beale Jr.
Ex'r: Capt. William Beale and Mr. Travers Colston.
Wit: Richard GWILLIAM, Mary GWILLIAM, Elizabeth GWILLIAM
Rec: 2 Apr 1750
Headley, Jr. Robert K. Wills of Richmond County, Virginia, 1699-1800. Clearfield Press.
Richmond County, VA, Will Book 5, 1725-1753, page 592
Sources
▪ Binns Genealogy. 1790/1800 County Tax Lists of Virginia.
▪ Headley, Jr. Robert K. Wills of Richmond County, Virginia, 1699-1800. Clearfield Press.
▪ King, George Harrison Sanford. Marriage of Richmond County, VA 1668-1853.
▪ King, George Harrison Sanford. Registers of North Farnham Parish 1693-1814 and Lunenburg Parish 1783-1800 Richmond County, VA