Updated November 25, 2022
Background:
The Virginia Gazette, published weekly in Williamsburg, 1736-1780; the news covered all Virginia and included some information for other colonies, Scotland, England, etc. Not all the issues survived, and some have surfaced since they were first reproduced on microfilm in the mid-twentieth century.
The earliest Virginia Gazette was printed successively by William Parks, William Hunter, Joseph Royle, Alexander Purdie, Purdie & John Dixon, Dixon & William Hunter Jr., and Dixon & Thomas Nicolson, from about August 6, 1736, through April 8, 1780, when the paper was moved to Richmond. On May 16, 1766, William Rind established a competing paper under the same title which was printed successively by Rind, Clementina Rind (his widow), and John Pinkney, until February 3, 1778. A third Virginia Gazette was inaugurated by Alexander Purdie on February 3, 1775. After Purdie's death, the paper was printed by John Clarkson & Augustine Davis until December 9, 1780, the last issue located.
Overview:
Since the Virginia Gazette was published in Williamsburg, most of the Gilliams mentioned are those of Williamsburg, Prince George or Hanover and Louisa Counties. There are a few references to Gilliams of Cumberland, etc.
22 Apr 1757
The assembly having given a sum of money to build a furnace and prepare materials for the making of pot ash in the City of Williamsburg, that Mr. Thomas Stephens may instruct any persons who are willing to learn his method notice is hereby given that 3d will be given for every bushel of good ashes that shall be delivered to Mr. John GILLIAM, at the Attorney’s, in Williamsburg.
Virginia Gazette, 22 Apr 1757 page 3, column 2
23 Nov 1769
For Sale,
Twelve hundred acres of fine land, in Sussex county, 7 miles below the courthouse: It joins Nottoway river for about one mile, which affords plenty of fish, and makes near 100 acres of low grounds, well stocked with cypress and other timber, In the banks are plenty of shells, very good for lime. Great part of the high lands are rich, and fit for tobacco, which is not common in that part of the country. Mr. Benjamin Cleamonds,[Clements] and Mr. Thomas GILLIAM, will shew the lands to those inclinable to purchase.
J. Syme.
Publisher: Rind, Page: 2, Column: 3, 1769-11-23
7 Dec 1769
For Sale,
Twelve hundred acres of fine land, in Sussex county, 7 miles below the courthouse: It joins Nottoway river for about one mile, which affords plenty of fish, and makes near 100 acres of low grounds, well stocked with cypress and other timber, In the banks are plenty of shells, very good for lime. Great part of the high lands are rich, and fit for tobacco, which is not common in that part of the country. Mr. Benjamin Cleamonds,[Clements] and Mr. Thomas GILLIAM, will shew the lands to those inclinable to purchase.
J. Syme.
Publisher: Purdie & Dixon, Page: 4, Column: 1, 1769-12-07
21 Dec 1769
John GILLIAM and Co.
Not found
Publisher: Purdie & Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 3, 1769-12-21
12 Jul 1770
For Sale,
Twelve hundred acres of fine land, in Sussex county, 7 miles below the courthouse: It joins Nottoway river for about one mile, which affords plenty of fish, and makes near 100 acres of low grounds, well stocked with cypress and other timber, In the banks are plenty of shells, very good for lime. Great part of the high lands are rich, and fit for tobacco, which is not common in that part of the country. Mr. Benjamin Cleamonds,[Clements] and Mr. Thomas GILLIAM, will shew the lands to those inclinable to purchase.
J. Syme.
Publisher: Rind, Page: 2, Column: 2, 1770-07-12
Prince George, July 1, 1770
Notice is hereby given that the partnership between John GILLIAM and Co., has disbanded? And that on Wednesday the first of August next will be sold to the highest bidder, at Broadway’s . . .
John GILLIAM & Co.
[nearly illegible]
Publisher: Purdie & Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 3, 1770-07-19
11 Apr 1771
To be Sold, on Monday the 29th of this Instant (April)
At Thomas GILLIAM’s Senior, in Southampton, a piece of exceeding good tobacco land, containing four hundred and twenty nine acres. Two hundred and fifth pounds to be paid down; and twelve months credit for the remainder, the purchaser giving bone, with approved security to
Henry Harrison.
Publisher: Purdie & Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 2, 1771-04-11
12 Sep 1771
To be rented, for a term of years,
A lot in the Town of Blandford, lying on the main Street, and adjoining the River. There are on the said lot a House with a brick Chimney, well calculated for a dry or wet store, with a slush cellar well bricked, and a lumberchute, at the River side, underpinned and cellared as above. For Terms apply to John GILLIAM, John GILLIAM, Junior, or Robert GILLIAM.
Publisher: Purdie & Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 2, 1771-09-12
10 Oct 1771
As very little regard has been paid to our former advertisement, we once more request those indebted to us to pay off their respective balances, this October General Court, to Mr. Robert GILLIAM, otherwise we shall immediately put their bonds and accounts into a Lawyer’s ands, without respect to persons.
John GILLIAM, & co.
Publisher: Purdie & Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 2, 1771-10-10
Prince George 22 June 1772
Came to my plantation, on the 20th instant, a likely outlandish negro fellow about five feet six inches high, talks some English words, but cannot, or will not, tell his master’s name so as to be understood; his clothing consists of an old Virginia Cloth coat bound with black ferret, and black horn buttons, rolls trousers, and osnabrug shirt, and an old cotton waistcoat. He has his country marks on his face. His owner is desired to take him away as soon as possible.
Robert GILLIAM.
[osnaburg: a coarse linen, named for Osnabruck, a town in Germany, used to clothe slaves and servants]
Publisher: Purdie & Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 3, 1772-07-16
9 Jun 1774
Lost, or stolen, from the subscriber, in the lower end of Louisa, on the 27th of April last, a pocketbook, with cash and bonds, and other papers, viz, a bond on William Gilliam, the sum of which I cannot ascertain, but is between fifty and one hundred pounds, a note of hand on John Swann for 81.12s, a penal note on Robert Powell for 2£ with three years interest thereon, an order form Charles Irvin to William Mitchell for 10£, an order for ten hogsheads of tobacco of John Jones’s and an order from Archer Moore to John Farris for 3£. There were upwards of seventy five pounds in cash. All persons are forewarned from taking the above mentioned bond, or any of the notes of hands or orders, from any persons who may offer them. Whoever will bring the said pocketbook, with the above contents, shall receive 10£ from me, in Albemarle county. There were several other papers that I cannot recollect.
William Watson
Publisher: Rind, Page: 2, Column: 2, 1774-06-09
8 Apr 1775
Married Mr. Robert Boyd, merchant in Blandford, to Miss Susanna GILLIAM of Prince George.
Publisher: Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 1, 1775-04-08
10 Jun 1775
Taken up in Buckingham, two mares, viz, a dark bay about 4 feet, 5 inches high, 5 or 6 years old, trots and paces, her mane hangs on the right side, branded on the near shoulder and buttock, and on the near jaw; the other is a sorrel, about 4 feet 4 or 5 inches high, 5 or 6 years old, her mane hangs on the right side, has a switch tail, which is much whiter than her mane, a small blaze on her face down to her nose, and only trots. Posted and appraised, the former to 8 £ and the latter to 10 £.
William Gilliam
Publisher: Dixon, Page: 4, Column: 2, 1775-06-10
Prince George, June 12, 1777
To be sold, to the highest bidder, for ready money, on Wednesday, the 2d of July a new Vessel on the stocks, and ready to be launched, Burthen about 63 tons, and is well calculated for the times
Robert GILLIAM.
Publisher: Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 1, 1777-06-20
26 Sep 1777
Wanted
On freight to France, in a good vessel, about 70 or 80 hogsheads of tobacco. For terms apply to Robert GILLIAM in Blandford.
[Sept 17 1777]
Publisher: Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 2, 1777-09-26
1 May 1778
For sale, the brig Gentil, about one hundred and eighty hogsheads burthen, now lying a Broadway’s on Appamattox. She is completely fitted with new sails and rigging. And fits to a proceed to sea. For terms, apply to Mr. Robert GILLIAM, near Petersburg.
Publisher: Purdie, Page: 4, Column: 1, 1778-05-01
29 May 1778
To be sold at Broadway’s six three pounders and six swivels, with some powder.
Robert GILLIAM
Publisher: Purdie, Page: 4, Column: 1, 1778-05-29
23 Feb 1779
Just opened and for sale, for ready money, at our store in Blandford, a fine assortment of Irish linen, diaper, cambrick, etc.
GILLIAM & Shelton.
Publisher: Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 2, 1779-02-26
26 Mar 1779
On Wednesday last the following criminals were brought to the bar, and received sentence, as follows: Mason Miller, Thomas Thornton, Wilson Pinkerton, Jesse Philpots, Luke Lemy, and Gilbert Pierce, guilty, death. Benjamin Lawless, burnt in the hand. John GILLIAM, acquitted and discharges upon a plea in arrest of judgment.
Publisher: Dixon, Page: 2, Column: 2, 1779-03-26
Reward of Trade, October 2, 1779
The Commission of Trade having been empowered to establish a publick tannery for the better and more regular supplying the army with shoes and leather do give this publick notice that t highest prices upon the delivery thereof, to Mr. Powell Reins at Portsmouth, Mr. John Stringer on the Eastern Shore, Mr. Hugh Walker at Urbanna, Mr. Thomas pierce at Smithfield, Mr. Moss Armistead at Hampton, Mr. William Cary at York, Mr. William Goodson at Williamsburg, Mr. James Hunter, Jun. At Fredericksburg, Mr. Zachariah Clarke, at Hanover, town, Mr. Smyth Tandy at Richmond, Mr. Robert GILLIAM at Petersburg, or Capt Charles Thomas at Warwick.
By order of the Board,
William Russell, CBT
Publisher: Dixon, Page: 3, Column: 1, 1779-10-09
23 April 1785
Joseph Carrington, D[eputy] Sheriff at Cumberland, advertises for sale at Mr. James Gilliam’s Ordinary to satisfy the taxes due, lands of Robert Jordan, William Chamberlain, John Badkin, Nathaniel W. Barker, Jacob Cohan, John Cheek, Elizabeth Forloin, Thomas Kevil, John Minton, Paul Wright and Judith Robinson.
Sources
- Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library. Virginia Gazette