William Gilliam Sr (abt. 1720 - bef. 1774)

Born about 1720 in New Kent, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Jarrett) Gilliam — married about 1740 in New Kent, Virginia [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before May 1774 before about age 54 in Bedford County, Colony of Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Thomas Dominick [send private message]

Biography

The Following is from Roots-Web by Charles Ward^[1]

A great deal of erroneous information has been published regarding William and Mary (Jarratt) Gilliam, of Virginia. This has been inadvertently perpetuated by well-intentioned researchers, unaware of the inaccuracies contained in various published sources (example, Worth Ray's TN COUSINS).

William Gilliam's parentage is unknown to date, but it is very likely he belonged to the Gilliam family which resided in St. Peter's Parish in New Kent County, VA. Claims that he was a grandson of the Reverend Patrick Henry are false. Chronologically, this is impossible. A very good review of the Gilliam descendants of the Reverend Patrick Henry has appeared in print and confirms the fact that the William Gilliam in question does NOT belong to this family.

Richard and Margaret Gilliam were residing in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent Co., VA as early as the 1680s and they had several sons. It seems highly probable that William Gilliam was a grandson of Richard and Margaret Gilliam.

Mary Jarratt, wife of William Gilliam, was born 5 May 1724 in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent Co., VA the daughter of Devereux Jarratt and his wife, Elizabeth (Wingfield) Jarratt. This information is confirmed by the St. Peter's Parish Register and the Gilliam Bible which was published in 1766 in London.

William Gilliam was born about 1720, probably in New Kent Co., VA. William and Mary (Jarratt) Gilliam probably married in New Kent Co., VA and came to reside in Albemarle Co., VA near the Pedlar River. They are found in that county in deed records in the 1750s. Following the creation of Buckingham County, VA in 1761, Gilliam is then found in that county. Surviving land records mention William Gilliam as being deceased on 17 Oct 1792. It has incorrectly been stated that William Gilliam died in Hanover Co., VA, but again, this has been a perpetuation of false information.

[William actually died about 1772 in Bedford near the waters of Wreck Island. William Gilliam, Jr and widow Mary are William's executors in a suit brought by Walter Middleton and William Butler

Suit: Mary & Wm GILLIAM, Exors of Wm vs Walter Middleton

May 1774 • Bedford County, VA

Mary & Wm GILLIAM, Jr, Exors of Wm GILLIAM vs. Walter Middleton and William Butler, ^[2]

The estate of William Gilliam of the land records of Buckingham who was deceased by 1792 was in the hands of William Gilliam, Jr. on 4 Aug 1798. This precludes William Gilliam who married Mary Jarratt from being the William Gilliam of the Buckingham land records who was deceased by 1792 as their son William Gilliam, Jr was in Wilkes County, GA and deceased by 27 Jan 1798.]

References are made to the "widow Gilliam" in Buckingham Co., VA in 1794 and 1796. This is in reference to William Gilliam, deceased and we may deduce this is a reference to Mary (Jarratt) Gilliam. She appears to have died about 1796.

["Widow Gilliam" of Buckingham is actually Susannah Richardson Gilliam, the widow of John Gilliam]

Unfortunately, Buckingham Co., VA is a "burned county" so any will William or Mary Gilliam might have left was destroyed years ago. However, we can reconstruct their family using other means.

John Gilliam is referred to as a son of William Gilliam, deceased, in surviving Buckingham Co., VA land records.

William Gilliam and his his eldest son, William Gilliam, Jr. are found in a 1764 List of Tithables in Buckingham Co., VA with the father paying the tithe of the son.

Thomas Gilliam's family record lists him as the "son of William and Mary Gilliam."

William Gilliam, Jr. the eldest son of William and Mary (Jarratt) Gilliam died childless in Wilkes Co., GA. He bequeathed his estate to his brothers and sisters. Specifically, he bequeathed his estate to his brothers and sisters and the heirs of John Hood. No specific family relationship was indicated in regard to the heirs of John Hood, so we can't state definitively if they were related, based on the probate records alone.

The wording of the will is of particular significance. As he did not bequeath his estate to his brothers and sisters AND THEIR HEIRS, this effectively disinherited the children of his brothers who predeceased him. Of course, the heirs of John Hood were an exception, if their mother was indeed a sister of William Gilliam, Jr. as has been assumed by some Gilliam researchers.

At any rate, utilizing the above mentioned sources, we have an accurate picture of the children born to William and Mary (Jarratt) Gilliam.

The 
children of William Gilliam (abt 1720) & Mary Jarrett were:


1. William Gilliam, Jr. (b.ca 1742; d. 1798); married Elizabeth Ellis. No 
children. They are found selling land in Amherst Co., VA in 1773, but were residing in Bedford Co., VA at the time. He later settled in Wilkes Co., VA 
where his will was written 27 Jan 1798 and proven 17 Feb 1798. The inventory 
and distribution of his estate shows payments were made to his surviving 
brothers: Devereux, Richard, Charles, John, Jarratt, and Archelaus Gilliam and
to his sister, Sarah Williamson (as well as the heirs of John Hood). As 
previously mentioned, no provision was made for the children of his deceased 
brothers.


2. Sarah Gilliam (b.ca 1744); married Micajah Williamson. Resided in Wilkes 
Co., GA. A daughter was married to John Clark, Governor of Georgia. A 
grandson, John Campbell, served on the United States Supreme Court. A 
great-grandson, Lucius Q.C. Lamar, also served on the United States Supreme 
Court and was immortalized in John F. Kennedy's PROFILES IN COURAGE.


3. Devereaux Gilliam (b.ca 1746; died 1809); married Edith Ellis, daughter of 
Charles and Susannah (Harding) Ellis, of "Red Hill," in present-day Amherst 
Co., VA. They were early settlers of Knox Co., TN where they established 
"Gilliam's Station." His will, written 2 May 1809, was proven the following 
October. 


4. Peter Gilliam (b.ca 1748; d. 1798); Traditionally attributed as a son of 
William and Mary (Jarratt) Gilliam. He was married to Ann Heard and came to 
reside in Wilkes Co., GA where he was dead by 15 Jul 1794 when Jesse Heard 
was appointed administrator of his estate.



[It appears that Peter is actually the brother of Elizabeth Gilliam whose Will mentions sisters; Ann and Mary Gilliam; brothers; Peter and John Gilliam; and a brother Charles and a sister, Winnifred, who predeceased her. ^[3] John and Peter together witness a deed for the Hudsons, for who Peter was overseer. Peter names a son for his deceased brother Charles and daughters for sisters Elizabeth, Mary and Ann. William Gilliam Jr's Will mentions all of his siblings or their heirs. He does not mention Peter nor his heirs. ]

5. Thomas Gilliam (born 22 Oct 1750; died 25 May 1793); I discussed this 
couple in a previous posting and will not repeat the information here.


6. Richard Gilliam (b.ca 1752); he is listed as receiving a share of his 
brother's estate on 19 Dec 1799. A Richard Gilliam is listed as having his 
will proven in Bedford Co., VA on 22 Apr 1799, so it is impossible these 
could be the same individual due to the conflict of these two dates.

7. Charles Gilliam (b.ca 1754); received a share of his brother's estate on 
12 Jan 1799.


8. John Gilliam (b.ca 1756; died 1821); married Mary Tooley, 22 Nov 1785, in 
Albemarle Co., VA. His will, written 1 Mar 1821, was proven 21 May 1821, in 
Amherst Co., VA.


9. Jarratt Gilliam (b.ca 1758; died 1833); married 24 Mar 1787, in Bedford 
Co., VA to Ann Gilliam. He married as his second wife, Theodosia Davis, in 
Bedford Co., VA on 18 Feb 1796, with her mother, Elizabeth Davis, of Amherst 
Co., VA giving consent. He did not remain in Bedford County and returned to 
Amherst Co., VA where his will, written 24 Dec 1832, was proven 17 Jun 1833.


10. Archelaus Gilliam (b.ca 1760; d. 1836); sometimes referred to as 
"Archer." He married Judith Tooley, 15 Dec 1781, in Albemarle Co., VA. An 
administrator's bond was granted to James Gilliam for Archelaus Gilliam's 
estate on 21 Nov 1836, in Amherst Co., VA. 


11. Joyce Gilliam Hood (b. 1762 - ) (possible daughter); married John Hood. The wife of John 
Hood is attributed as a sister of William Gilliam, Jr. and thus a daughter of 
William and Mary (Jarratt) Gilliam, based on the fact that William Gilliam, 
Jr. bequeathed part of his estate to the heirs of John Hood in his will.

Timeline

Birth
William Gilliam was born about 1720, probably in New Kent Co., VA. He is likely the grandson of Richard Gilliam and Margaret and possibly the son of their son William who married Elizabeth.

Birth
Mary Jarratt, wife of William Gilliam, was born 5 May 1724 in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent Co., VA the daughter of Devereux Jarratt and his wife, Elizabeth Wingfield

Marriage
abt 1740
Mary JARRATT
(1724–1774)

Deed: Elisha Lyon of Amelia to William Gilliam of Albemarle
20 Sep 1751 • Amelia County, VA
Elisha Lyon of Amelia Co to William GILLIAM of Albemarle Co, 20 Sep 1751. Consid 40 pounds 160 acres in Amelia Co on Mays Creek, adj Lines of James Doss, the creek, south of Creek & a branch. Wit: Joel Watkins, Moses Mathews, William Roberts, & Edward Nix. ^[4] [William Gilliam later lived adjacent to Mark and Thomas Doss on Wreck Island. Devereaux Gilliam had dealings with Elisha Lyon]

County Formation
1753 • Prince Edward County, VA
Prince Edward County formed from Amelia County in 1753.

Deed: Edward Nix to Deverix Jarrett
12 Jul 1756 • Prince Edward County, VA
12 July 1756 Edward Nix to Deverix Jarrett 200 Acres, adj William GILLIAMs Line near mouth of a branch etc. ^[5][Mary Jarratt's father was Devereaux Jarratt. He was the namesake of Devereaux Gilliam.]

Tillotson Parish
1757 • Albemarle County, VA
By the mid 1700's the citizens of Albemarle County living south of the Fluvanna River (now the James River) petitioned for a new parish. In 1757, Virginia’s General Assembly responded by creating Tillotson Parish, agreeing that “Whereas the parish of Saint Anne, in the county of Albemarle, by reason of the great extent thereof, is very inconvenient to the inhabitants . . . all the part thereof lying on the south side of said river, shall be one other distinct parish, and called and known by the name of Tillotson.”

Deed: Peter Bayse & wife Sarah of Halifax to William Gilliam
14 Jun 1759, • Albemarle County, VA
Peter Bayse & wife Sarah of Halifax to William Gilliam, £70, 400 acres on branches of Pedlar. ^[6]

Deed: William Gilliam & wife Mary to Nicholas Davis
13 Dec 1760, • Albemarle County, VA
William Gilliam & wife Mary to Nicholas Davis, £80, 400 acres on Pedlar River, patented to Thomas Watts, 5 Apr 1748. ^[7]

County Formation
1761 • Buckingham County, VA
Buckingham County was formed from Albemarle County in 1761.
In 1761, when Buckingham County was cut out of Albemarle, Tillotson Parish and Buckingham became one and the same entity.

Tithes of Tillotson Parish
1764, Buckingham County, VA
William Gilliam Sr., William Gilliam Jr. (Harry, Primus, Nan, Hanner) 6 tithables, 200 acres, 0 carriages.

Survey
7 Feb 1764, • Buckingham County, VA
William Gilliam, 240 acres, among South branches of Wreck Island Creek; John Gannaway, John Cox, James Phelps neighbors.^[8][9]

Survey
7 Feb 1764, • Buckingham County, VA
William Gilliam, 187 acres, South side of Wreck Island Creek; John Coleman, John Cox's new lines neighbors.^[8]

Survey for Charles Layne
14 Feb 1764 • Buckingham County, VA
Charles Layne; February 14, 1764; 270 ac.; south branch of Wreck Island Creek; James Phelps, William Megginson, William Gilliam, Mark Doss neighbors. ^[10]

Patent
14 Jul 1769 • Buckingham County, VA
Micajah Williamson who married William and Mary's daughter Sarah received a patent in Buckingham County, VA on 14 Jul 1769 for 240 acres on the head of branches between Wreck Island & Coleman’s Run bounded as follows: Beg. John Gannaway's corner pointer the new line S. 15 degrees East 46 poles to pointers then on John Cox line South 29 & 1/2 degrees East 80 poles to Red Oak James Phelp's line North 40 & 1/2 degrees then said Gannaway's line, ^[11]

Patent
3 Aug 1771 • Buckingham County, VA
Charles Layne, 270 acs. 3 Aug 1771
Amongst the Brs. On the S side of Wreck Island Cr.; adj. Mark Doss, John May, William Megginson, James Phelp’s & William Gilliam £1.S10. ^[12]

Patent
16 Feb 1771 • Buckingham County, VA
Mark Doss, 235 acs. 16 Feb 1771
Amongst the S. brs. Of Wreck Island Cr., adj. His own line, William Gilliam & James Phelps. £L1.S5. ^[13]

Survey: Thomas Doss
30 Nov 1772 • Buckingham County, VA
Thomas Doss; November 30, 1772; 92 ac.; branches of Wreck Island Creek; joining William Diuguid, William Gilliam, Thomas Doss’ own land. Charles Witt, and new lines. ^[14]

Tithes Tillotson Parish
1773 • Buckingham County, VA
William Gilliam not listed
Jno Gilliam: 4 tithables

Tithes Tillotson Parish
1774 • Buckingham County, VA
William Gilliam: 3 tithables
Charles Gilliam: 1 tithable
Jno. Gilliam: 5 tithables^[15]

Death
bef May 1774 • Bedford County, VA

Court Order: Mary and William GILLIAM, Exors. of William GILLIAM
24 May 1774 • Bedford County, VA
Mary and William GILLIAM, Exors. of William GILLIAM vs. Walter Middleton and William Butler. ^[16]

Sources

1. ↑ Rootsweb, posted by Charles Ward
2. ↑ Order Book 5B, page 344
3. ↑ Will Book 2, page 301-302
4. ↑ McConnaughey, Gibson Jefferson. Unrecorded Deeds and Other Documents of Amelia County, VA, 1750-1902. Athens, GA: Iberian Publishing, Co.
5. ↑ Prince Edward County, VA, Deed Book 1, page 74
6. ↑ Albemarle County, VA, Deed Book 2:128
7. ↑ Albemarle County, VA, Deed Book 3:11
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Buckingham County Surveyors Plat Book 1762-1858, 2nd. ed., Eric G. Grundset, ed.,Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, 1996, p7
9. ↑ The Deeds of Amherst County 1761-1807, and Albemarle County, Virginia 1748-1763, Rev. Bailey F. Davis, Southern Historical Press, Greenville, SC, 1979, 483pp.
10. ↑ Grundset, Eric C. Surveyor's Plat Book, 1762-1858, Buckingham County, VA
11. ↑ Virginia Patent Book, 38:855-1
12. ↑ Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume VII, page 246
13. ↑ Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume VII, page 217
14. ↑ Grundset, Eric C. Surveyor's Plat Book, 1762-1858, Buckingham County, VA
15. ↑ Genealogical Records of Buckingham County, Virginia, Edythe R. Whitley, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, 1996. 162pp.
16. ↑ Bedford County, VA, Court Orders, 1774-1774, Book 5B, page 344 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-73Z9-8?i=342&cat=275182