Updated December 24, 2023
Background
Rockingham County was named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, a second marquis of Rockingham, who supported the colonists in their disputes with Great Britain. It was formed from Augusta County in 1778. Its area is 871 square miles, and the county seat is Harrisonburg. Many pre-Civil War records were lost during the Valley Campaign of 1864. In an effort to safeguard the records, they were loaded onto a wagon that was subsequently set afire by Union troops. Records that were saved include: administrators, executors, and guardians bonds.
Parishes
Rockingham Parish, 1777
Overview
The Gillilands of Rockingham and previously Lancaster County, PA are included for clarity sake.
Pensions
Shepherd Gilliland, aged 59, son of Susannah Gilliland, deceased widow of James Gilliland, a soldier of the Revolution, makes declaration as
follows:
James and Susannah were married in Lancaster County, Penna., and moved to Rockingham County, Virginia; James was drafted in the Company of Capt. George Houston; again he performed a tour in McIntosh's campaign; refers to the affidavit of Jacob Lemon, a pensioner.
Susannah died June 18th, 1842.
James died in the fall of 1810; had 13 children.
The following are still alive, viz: Jenny Lemon, wife of Jacob Lemon, of Botetourt; Nancy Lemon, wife of Conrad Lemon, of Alleghany; Susannah Shanklin, widow of John Shanklin, now living in Botetourt; declarant; Sarah Wood, wife of Edward Wood, of Bath; Elizabeth Carnes, wife of John Carnes, of Monroe County
Chalkey, Lyman. Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, page 494
Register of children of James and Susannah Gilliland:
John Gilliland born November 11th 1768;
William Gilliland born October 7th, 1771;
Jenny Gilliland born January 3d, 1773;
Samuel Gilliland born April 28th, 1775;
Henry Gilland born April 6th, ----;
Nancy Gilland born March 20th, 1779;
Susannah Gilliland born May 3d, 1781;
James Gilliland born August 10th, 1783;
Shephard Gilliland born February 13th, 1786;
Sally Gilliland born May 12th, 1788;
Joseph Gilliland born December 23d, 1790;
Elizabeth Gilliland born March 6th, 1792;
Polly Gilliland born ------ --, 1796.
Chalkey, Lyman. Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, page 496
Sources
- Chalkey, Lyman. Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, Extracted from the
- Original Court Records of Augusta County, VA 1745-1800. 1912, produced Genealogical Publishing Company, 1989.