John Gilliam Sr (aft. 1715 - bef. 1794)

Born after 1715 in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died before 15 Sep 1794 before age 79 in Goochland, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Wanda Horn [send private message], Becky Jackson [send private message], Dick Gates [send private message], and Tedd Powers [send private message]

Biography

It has been posited that the John who married Sarah Farris. was the son of John Gilliam of St Peter's Parish, New Kent and brother to James Gilliam and Agnes Gilliam.

It has been suggested that since John who married Sarah Farris names a son Jacob that John is the son of Jacob Gilliam of the 1782 New Kent Taxes. However, it seems more likely that Jacob was named after his mother, Sarah Farris's brother, Jacob Faris, whose name is used repeatedly by this line.

If so, then at some point it appears he removed to Henrico. It should be noted that Sarah hailed from Henrico where her father John Faris left a Will in 1746.

This John also appears to be the John that is associated with the Christians and the Grantums. However, the Chancery suit: David Grantum vs. Exec'r of John Christian states that the John of the suit is the son of Batte. [In 1663 in Henrico, a John Gilliam with a Thomas Bats inventories the good of Francis Burrell.]

When John Gilliham purchased land from Obadiah and Agnes Patterson in 1757 on Lickinghole in Goochland, John is referred to as "of Henrico."

Two other records place him in Henrico one with a wife Sarah:

Deed: Thos Nibb of Henrico and William Baugh, Jr of Goochland to

18 Mar 1744 • Henrico County, VA

104 acres bounded by north side of main road along Peter Ashbrook's line. Tanner's line and Joseph Wilkinson. Wit: Mary (X) Baugh, Peter Ashbrook, John GILLIAM, Peter Ashbrook, Jr., John Baugh, Joseph Ashbrook. Sig: Thomas Knibb, William Baugh

Will of Samuel Butler, Jr.

4 Aug 1756 • Henrico County, VA

Wit: Ezekiel Slaughter, John Gillum and Sarah Gillum. Rec: 4 Feb 1757 Mary, widow was granted administration with the will annexed.

John may have moved to Goochland in 1757 when he purchased land from Obadiah Patterson.

It also appears that there were several John Gilliams of Goochland. One is infirm and is doctored by Arthur Hopkins in the 1750s. The other appears to be younger.

The John Gilliam, Sr.,  John Gilliam, Jr.,  James Gilliam of the Goochland Tithables of 1766, 1767 and 1768 do not appear to be John Gilliam who married Sarah Farris as their sons John and James would not have been tithable in 1766. James appears to have been born 1750-1752 and John in 1759. [In colonial Virginia, a poll tax or capitation tax was assessed on free white males, enslaved people, and Indigenous servants, all age sixteen or older.] ^[1]

John Gilliam who married Elizabeth Murrell in 1764 in Dover Parish, Goochland is not likely the John that was doctored by Arthur Hopkins. The connection seems to be to John Gilliam and Sarah Farris line as their son James married Frances Hopkins on 16 Dec 1772 in Goochland, the daughter of John Hopkins and Susanna.

John left a will in Goochland county, Virginia. In this will he lists his children and his slaves. The will was proved Dec 15, 1794. ^[2]

More research is needed regarding the origins of this John Gilliam.

Timeline

Birth
John, the son of John Gilliam was born on March 5th (after 1715 when his elder sister Agnes was born: year obscured or page mutilated before transcription) in St Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia.^[3]

Deed: Thos Nibb of Henrico and William Baugh, Jr of Goochland to William Pride
18 Mar 1744 • Henrico County, VA
104 acres bounded by north side of main road along Peter Ashbrook's line. Tanner's line and Joseph Wilkinson. Wit: Mary (X) Baugh, Peter Ashbrook, John GILLIAM, Peter Ashbrook, Jr., John Baugh, Joseph Ashbrook. Sig: Thomas Knibb, William Baugh

Marriage
abt 1746
Sarah, mentioned in her father's Will appears to be single at its writing.
Sarah FARIS
(–1806)

Will of Samuel Butler, Jr.
4 Aug 1756 • Henrico County, VA
Wit: Ezekiel Slaughter, John Gillum and Sarah Gillum. Rec: 4 Feb 1757 Mary, widow was granted administration with the will annexed.

Deed: Obadiah Patterson to John Gilliam of Henrico
14 Nov 1757 • Goochland County, VA
Obadiah Patterson sells to John Gilliham of Henrico Co. For 200 pounds, 400 acres of land on branches of Great Lickinghole. Bounded by Edward New, Charles Christian. Wit: Alex Fowler, John Payne, Jos. Davis. Rec: Nov. 16, 1757

Settlement
18 Oct 1763 • Goochland County, VA
George Weldy Drumwright to Thomas Riddle, £11 to Archelaus Jarratt, £5, to Shaderack Mims, 15 s, Uncle David Mims, all that I am indebted to him, rest equally divided betwn David Mims, Thomas Drumwright. Exor David Mims Wit: Charles Christian, John Gilham

Processioning
22 Feb 1764 • Saint James Northam Parish, Goochland County, VA
Processioners John Gilliam and John Woodson.

Processioning
31 Aug 1767 • Saint James Northam Parish, Goochland County, VA
Processioners John Gilliam and John Woodson to William Robard’s Bridge on Lickinghole Creek.

Deed: Humphrey Parrish to John Gilliam
26 Jul 1768 • Goochland County, VA
133 acres on Branches of Bird and Fork Creeks and on both sides of Three Notched Road

Chancery: David Grantum vs Wm Christian Exec of John Christian
1771 • Goochland County, VA
The suit notes that both John Gilliam and Rebecca Weldy are infirm.

Chancery Suit: John Prewit vs John Humber
1771 • Goochland County, VA
John disposes that heard John Prewit threaten John Humber. Charles Christian also testifies. The deposition is given by John Gilliam. Since John is "of age," it must be John Gilliam, Sr. ^[4].

Deed: James Gresham of Cumberland County to John Gilliam
1 Oct 1774 • Goochland County, VA
For 100 pounds, 143 acres. Bounded by sd. John GILLIAM, Charles Christian, John Humber. Wit: Nath. G. Morris, Philip Pleasants, Isaac Oakes, Tho. Pleasants. Signed: James Gresham, Mary Gresham. Rec: 16 Jan 1775. ^[5]

Tithes
1776 • Goochland County, VA
John GILLIAM, John GILLIAM, William GILLIAM ^[6]

Chancery Suit: David Grantum vs Exor of John Christian
1782 • Goochland County, VA
John disposes the terms of employment between David Grantum and John Christian. William Robard is also mentioned. [Suit clearly states that a John Gilliam is the son of Batt. Identity of Batt is not known but he likely has roots in Charles City. Men of the suit also are seen in connection to John who married Sarah Faris.]

1789 Personal Property Tax John Gilliam Sr of Goochland
Personal Property Tax
1789 • Goochland County, VA
John Gilliam, Sr

Probate
5 Nov 1790 • Goochland, Virginia, USA

Deed: John Gilliam to James Gilliam
22 Oct 1793 • Goochland County, VA
John GILLIAM made a Deed of Gift to his son James GILLIAM for a slave named Bristol. ^[7]

Deed of Gift: John Gilliam to Children
16 Dec 1793 • Goochland County, VA

Will of John Gilliam
7 Jan 1794 • Goochland County, VA

Appraise Estate of William Martin
16 Jan 1794 • Goochland County, VA
Thos. Massie, John Richards, John Gilliam, Thos. Pryor to appraise the est of Wm. Martin, dec'd. ^[8]

Death
15 Sep 1794 • Goochland County, VA

Probate of Will of John Gilliam
15 Dec 1794 • Goochland County, VA

Land Grant: John Humber
26 Sep 1798 • Goochland County, VA
360 acres on the waters of Little Creek, bounded by Gilliam, etc. ^[9]

Accounting of Estate of John Gilliam
16 Dec 1799 • Goochland County, VA
Executors John and Jacob Gilliam

Will

Will of John GILLIAM Will Date 7 Jan 1794, Proved 15 Dec 1794 Updated January 3, 2021

In the name of God amen, I John GILLIAM of Goochland County being of sound and perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following to Wit:

• I lend my beloved wife Sarah GILLIAM during her natural life thirteen negroe slaves namely George, Jack, Moses, Dick, Davy, Simon, Lewis, Isaac, Jenny, Mary Rachel, Beck, Tamar and my plantation as it stands with all the stock _____ and with all my furniture and plantation utensils.
• Item: My will and desire is that at the death of my said beloved wife my executors hereafter named shall purchase two likely negro girls about the age of fourteen years. One of each I give to my daughter Sarah Snead and the other to my daughter Mary Snead to each of them and their heirs forever
• Item: I give unto my son John GILLIAM two negro slaves to wit: Nat and Dinah with their increase they being now in his possession to him and his heirs forever
• Item: I give unto my son Jacob GILLIAM one negro boy named Billey now in his possession to him and his heirs forever
• Item: I give unto my son James GILLIAM one negroe boy named Bristol to him and his heirs forever
• Item: I give unto my son William GILLIAM one negroe girl named Dinah to him and his heirs forever
• Item: I give unto my daughter Judith Bailey one negroe man named Tom to her and her heirs forever
• Item: I give unto my daughter Martha Drake one negroe woman named Sary and a negroe girl named Delph with their increase to her and her heirs forever
• Item: I give unto my daughter Celia Cox one shilling sterling
• Item: I give unto my son Taylor GILLIAM one negroe named Charles to him and his heirs forever
• Item: I give unto my daughter Agnes GILLIAM one negroe girl named Nanny with her increase to her and her heirs forever
• Item: I give unto my daughter Susanna GILLIAM one negroe girl named Betty with her increase to her and her heirs forever
• Item: I give and bequeath unto my three sons James GILLIAM, Jacob GILLIAM, and Taylor GILLIAM at the death of their mother all my lands to be equally divided among them which I give to each of them and to their heirs forever
• Item: At the death of my beloved wife all the negroes lent to her which may then be living with their increase except the two already directed to be purchased for my two daughters Sarah and Mary Snead I give to be equally divided among my eight children to Wit: John GILLIAM, Sarah Snead, James GILLIAM, Taylor GILLIAM, Jacob GILLIAM, Agnes GILLIAM, Mary Snead, and Susanna GILLIAM which I give to each of them and to their heirs forever.

[This does not imply that John had only eight children (see reference to "all" my children below): William, Judith, Martha and Cicely each mentioned above are not in this list. Elizabeth also does not appear, presumably having predeceased her father.]

• Item: I give unto each of my daughters Agnes and Susanna GILLIAM one feather bed and furniture now in their possession

All the rest of my estate not being disposed of I will and desire may be equally divided among all my children except my daughter Cecelia which I give to them and their heirs respectively forever

And lastly I constitute and appoint my two sons John GILLIAM and Jacob GILLIAM Executors to this my last will and testament revoking all other wills hereto fore by me made in witness whereof I have ______ my hand and affixed my seal this 7th day of January 1794.

Sig: John (X) GILLIAM

Wit: Thomas F. Bates Humphrey Parrish David Parrish

Dec. 15th Court. Proved on oath of Humphrey Parrish & David Parrish and John and Jacob GILLIAM appt. Execs. With bond of 1750 pounds securities Humphrey Parrish, Smith Payne & Robert Payne

In obedience to the amended* order, we the assignees on the second day of January, in the year of our Lord 1807, met at the dwelling house of John GILLIAM deceased and divided the Negroes mentioned in his last will and testament in eight equal shares agreeably to the directory thereof -- in the following manner We valued the Negroes at 1270.0 pounds which gave each legatee 158.15 pounds, and then parcelled them out so as to make each lot come as near the shares of each as possible and after this arrangement we made the legatees draw for lots in the usual way:

• Humphrey Parrish, guardian for Sally GILLIAM, orphan of Taylor GILLIAM deceased drawed Beck, Hannah, and Judith, which being valued at 28.15 pounds more than her share was charged with the payment of said sum to Jacob GILLIAM.
• Jacob GILLIAM drawed Simon at 28.15 pounds less than his share and received the said sum from Sally GILLIAM as aforesaid.
• Susanna GILLIAM drawed David and Mary valued at 21.5 pounds more than her share and was made chargeable with the payment of 18.5 pounds to James * GILLIAM and 2.10 pounds to John GILLIAM.
• James GILLIAM drawed Isaac and 18.15 pounds as aforesaid from Susanna GILLIAM.
• John GILLIAM drawed Rachel and Moses and 2.10 pounds payable by Susanna and 1.5 pounds of William Sneed.
• William Sneed drawed Dick, Jane, and Jack, chargeable with 1.5 pounds as above mentioned. Agness Clements drawed Tamar Vehito*, also Louisa charged with the payment of 26.5 pounds to Charles Sneed.
• Charles Sneed drawed Levi with the 26.5 pounds from Agness Clements as above mentioned.

Given under our hands and seals this day a

Sources

1. ↑ https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/tithables
2. ↑ http://www.gilliamsofvirginia.org/Goochland/John%20Gilliam%201794/JohnGilliam1794.html
3. ↑ The vestry book and register of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent and James City counties, Virginia, 1684-1786, C. G. Chamberlayne, The Library Board, Richmond, VA, 1937, p. 358.https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/562367/?offset=#page=391&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q=
4. ↑ Suit No. 1771-005
5. ↑ Goochland County, VA, Deed Book 10, page 508
6. ↑ Goochland County Historical Society Magazine, Volume 5, Number 1, page 18, Spring 1973.
7. ↑ Goochland County, VA, Deed Book 16, page 235-236
8. ↑ Goochland County, VA Deeds & Wills Book. 16, p315.
9. ↑ Land Office Grants No. 40, 1797-1798, p. 469 (Reel 106).