Updated November 24, 2022
Overview
Willis Gilliam a Free Negro, may be found in the 1830 and 1840 Sussex County, VA Census. In 1850 he is enumerated in the Petersburg census as a “Mulatto.” Willis Gilliam is listed as being 47 years old. Also listed among his household in 1850 are Ann Gilliam, age 30; John Gilliam, age 12; Virginia Gilliam, age 11; Glidwell Gilliam, age 8; William Gilliam, age 13; Rebecca Gilliam, age 20; Disey Gilliam, age 19 and Jeff Caster, age 17.
This indenture made this second day of February eighteen hundred and thirty-two between Willis Gilliam (FN) of the first part Thomas J. Edwards second part and James M. Jordan of the third part. Whereas the said Willis Gilliam is justly indebted to the said James M. Jordan in the sum of fifty six dollars and one cent to be paid the third day of February on thousand eight hundred and thirty two as by bond on demand assigned by James C. Jordan (Merchant) to Isham Jordan and by said James M. Jordan to the said James M. Jordan bearing date the twenty ninth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty one more fully appears which debt the said Willis Gilliam is willing and desirous to secure now this indenture witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar of lawful money of Virginia to the said Willis Gilliam in hand pad by the said Thomas J. Edward at and before the sealing and delivery o these present the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged he the said Willis Gilliam hath given granted bargained and sold by these presents forever one young sorrel horse, one bed and furniture, four rush bottom chairs, one table, two chests, one cupboard, one Dutch oven one iron pot, two spinning wheels, one trunk, two ploughs, two coffee mills, two weeding hoes, and all my present stock of hogs, consisting of one sow and four pigs and four shoats and their increase and all the right title and interest of the said Willis Gilliam in and to the said granted property to have and to hold the said hereby granted property unto the said Thomas J. Edward, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, forever, and the aid Willis Gilliam for himself his heirs , executors and administrator doth hereby covenant, promise and agree to and with the said Thos J. Edward his heirs executors and administrator and assigns forever in manner and form following to wit, that is to say that the said Willis Gilliam his heirs executors and administrators the above property hereby intended to the conveyed unto the said Thos J. Edwards his heirs executors administrators and assigns against all persons whatsoever shall and will warrant and forever defend by these present
Upon trust nevertheless that the said Thos J. Edwards his heirs executors and administrator shall permit the said Willis Gilliam to remain in quiet and peaceable possession of the said property hereby conveyed until default be made in the payment of the said sum of money either in whole or in part and then upon this further trust that the said Thomas J. Edwards his executors, administrators, or assigns shall and will so soon after the happening of such default of payment may thing proper to the said James M. Jordan his heirs executors administrators or assigns shall request [to] sell the said property hereby conveyed or such part thereof or the trustee or his representative hereby authorized to act shall think sufficient for the purpose and shall think proper to sell to the highest bidder for ready money at public auction after having _____ the time and place of sale and given the said Willis Gilliam ten day previous notice thereof and advertized the same at the most public place in the neighborhood and out of the monies arising form such sale shall after satisfying the charges thereof pay the said James M. Jordan his executors, administrators, or assigns, the said sum of fifty six dollars and one cent with the interest which may thereon lawfully have accrued and the balance if any shall pay to the said Willis Gilliam his executors, administrators or assigns but if the whole of the said debt shall be fully laid off on or before the third day of February eighteen hundred and thirty two when the same is payable then this indenture to be void main in full force and virtue
In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day and year first above written.
Signed, and delivered in the presence of
Willis [his X mark] Gilliam
Thos J. Edwards
J. M. Jordan
On the 2nd day of February 1832 this indenture was acknowledged by Willis Gilliam, Thomas J. Edwards, and James M. Jordan parties thereto to be their act and deed and recorded in the Clerks office of Sussex County Court.
Teste
L. Lanier, Clk
Sources
- Sussex County, VA, Deed Book ___, page 212-213