Updated August 4, 2023
Background
Did William GILLIAM, son of Hinchia GILLIAM marry Susannah Green, daughter of Lewis Green?
Historical Southern Families, by John Bennett Boddie states the following:
William GILLIAM, son of Captain Hinchea GILLIAM and wife, Fortune Flood, lived in the southern part of Surry County which in 1753 became Sussex County, VA. He married, 1725, Susanna Green, daughter of Lewis Green, Jr., of Prince George County, VA.
Their children were:
I. Margery GILLIAM, b. ca. 1726, m. 1742 Capt. Richard Hill, 1720-1755.
II. Capt. William GILLIAM, 1728-1765, m. first, 1752 Mildred Hill, d. Feb 5, 1753, reported by William GILLIAM, Jr.; m., second ca. Mary ___. Mary, widow of William GILLIAM, d. Oct 20, 1771, reported by Richard Hill.
III. Amy GILLIAM, m. Lewis Tyus of Brunswick County, VA
IV. Frances GILLIAM, m. Thomas Evans of Dinwiddie County, VA
V. Jane GILLIAM, m. Robert Jackson of Sussex County, VA.
Overview
Boddie states that William GILLIAM, son of Hinchea and Fortune GILLIAM married Susanna Green. William GILLIAM and Lewis Green, the father of Susannah lived in the same area of Sussex and were involved in several land transactions.
IF William GILLIAM son of Hinchea did indeed marry Susannah, then it appears that Susannah must have died, for later records show William with wife, Martha. This Martha appears to be Martha Thrower with whom it appears that William had a child out of wedlock. In 1731 William reported to the Surry County grand jury that Martha Thrower had a bastard child. Later William and Martha jointly deed land to William's grandson, John GILLIAM, son of William GILLIAM, Jr.
The birthdate of William, son of Hinchea has traditionally been given as 1704. However, the William that is mentioned in 1719 at Merchant's Hope with Lewis Green, Jr., appears to be born before 1704. If William was born in 1704, then in 1719 he would be 15. It is unlikely that a 15 year old would appear in court with a seven year old slave.
Rather, it appears from the records below that William (and the Greens, for that matter) is more closely associated with a Charles GILLIAM, than Hinchea. This Charles is not the son of Hinchea, as he was born about 1696 and would be to young in 1711 to serve as an appraiser.
Records pointing to a GILLIAM/Green relationship.
7 Jan 1711/12
Inv. of Walter Nunnally, dec'd
Appraised by Nath. Tatem, Sr., Cha. Gillam & Lewis Green, Jr.
22 Mar 1711/12
Inv. of James Roux, dec'd, taken 22 Mar 1711/12
by Lewis Green, Charles GILLIAM, James GILLIAM, Olive Coxon Admnr.
19 May 1719
Charles GILLIAM & wife Frances of Bristol Parish, Prince Geo to Hencher Mayberry of Southwarke Parish in Surry for 600# tobacco and 10sh. 100a in Southwarke on N side of Nottoway R adj Marmaduke Brown.
Signed: Charles GILLIAM, Frances GILLIAM.
Wit: Lewis Green Jr, Jane Mathews, Mary Green. Rec. 20 May 1719 Surry County, VA, Deed & Will Book 7, p.104/186
13 Oct 1719
At a Court Held at Merchants Hope for Prince George Co. 13 October 1719.
Present: John Poythres, Robt Hall, Sampson Merredeth, Lewis Green, Jr. and John Peterson, Gent. Justices.
Stepney, a negro boy belonging to William Gillam is adjudged 7 years old.
Surry County, VA, Deed & Will Book 7, page 285
11 Jan 1720
At a court held at Merchants Hope for Prince George County, 11 January 1720
For laying the county Levy
Present: John Poythres, Robert Munford, Robt Hall, Robt Bolling, Lewis Green, Jr. and John Peterson, Gent., Justices Prince George
To John Gillam, Jr. 1 100 lbs Tob
To John GILLIAM, Sr. 2 200 lbs Tob
Surry County, VA, Deed & Will Book 7, page 347
Surry
Lewis Green of Pr. George Co; 200 acs. 21 Feb 1720
(N.L.) by the Woodyard Swamp along Charles GILLUM’S line. Imp of 4 pers; John Hoskins, Martha Banks, John Brown, Richard Hill.
Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume III, page 227
Surry
Lewis Green of Prince George, 400 acs. 22 Feb 1724
(N.L.) on N. side of Nottoway River; beg. At mouth of Stony Cr; to the south Wester Sw; adj. Jon GUILLUM & Major Robert Bolling, 40 shill
Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume III, page 279
5 Sep 1739
This indenture made this 5th day of Sep. 1739, between Lewis Green of Prince George Co. of the first part and William GILLIAM, of the county of Surry, of the other part, witnesseth that whereas Lewis Green Sr., dec’d., by his last will and testament did give unto his dau. Susanna Green, 200 acres of land being a part of a tract of 400 acres, situated at the mouth of Stoney Creek, bearing part. 22 Feb 1724 layed out by sd will of Lewis Green, That I do, as heir at law and for consideration of 35 lbs do sell the remaining 200 a., etc.
Sig: Lewis Green
16 Nov 1742
On 16 Nov 1742, William GILLIAM of the parish of Albemarle, “for love and good will to my daughter Margery and her husband, Richard Hill ”, gave them 200 acres of land beginning at a tree between John GILLIAM and Lewis Green, adjoining Col. Bolling and the Miery Marsh, with reversion, if no issue, to his son William GILLIAM.
Wit: William Green, Peter Green, and William Green Jr.
Sources
- Boddie, John Bennett. Historical Southern Families,
- Nugent, Marion Nell. Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume III
- Surry County, VA, Deed & Will Book 7,