Thomas Gilliam Jr (1744 - 1805)

Born 26 Sep 1744 in Albemarle Parish, Surry County, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Williamson) Gilliam — married 19 May 1774 in Sussex County, Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died 1805 at about age 60 in Davidson, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

Thomas was born in 1744. He passed away in 1805. He was the son of Thomas Gilliam and Mary Clements. There is no primary source evidence that Thomas' middle name was Edmond. It is possible that his mother was Mary Edmonds. She is traditionally given as Mary Clements. His godparents included Edmonds.

According to Southside Virginia Genealogies by John W. Pritchett:
Thomas Gilliam (26 Sept. 1744), as Thomas Gilliam Jr. of Southampton County, married Sarah Williamson in Sussex County 19 May (bond) 1774. Her father was Arthur Williamson whose will of 1781 named Sally Gilliam a legatee and appointed Thomas Gilliam an executor. Thomas Gilliam Jr. paid tax on 486 acres in Southampton County in 1782. According to the 1812 will of his sister Mary Tucker, he was residing in Tennessee with daughters Sally, Susan, and Julia.

Partial" list of Thomas' children:

• Polly Gilliam, a daughter of Thomas Gilliam, married Capt. Stith Tucker, her uncle’s son, 10 April (bond) 1801.
• Betsy W. Gilliam married John Gurley 6 Nov. (bond) 1797.
• Sally Gilliam
• Susan Gilliam
• Julia Gilliam

It has been incorrectly said that he died about 1838, but this is due to the settlement of his stepmother's estate in 1837 who was 36 years younger than Thomas' father.

It has also been said that Thomas married firstly Agnes Gilliam, the mother of Gray-Hutchings Gilliam. Though chronically possible, it is not true. The father of Gray-Hutchings Gilliam is not known. Agnes appeared in county and parish records until at least 1777, after the date Thomas Gilliam and Sally Williamson were married.

A Thomas Gilliam was disciplined by Raccoon Swamp Baptist Church. This Thomas has been identified as Thomas Sr.; however, since the discipline continue to occur after the death of Thomas Sr, it appears that it was Thomas Jr who was being disciplined.

It should be noted that a Major M Gilliam who is often attributed to Thomas and Sally Gilliam is not listed among those contesting the Will of Anthony Gilliam. The suit lists Anthony's heirs both living and dead.

Timeline

Birth
26 Sep 1744 • Albemarle Parish, Surry County, VA

Baptism
17 Mar 1745 • Albemarle Parish, Surry County, VA
Godparents: John Gray Edmonds, Drury Parker, Phyllis Edmonds.

Deed: Thomas Francis and Ann his wife to Thomas Gilliam, Jr.
20 Jan 1747 • Isle of Wight County, VA
175 acres on the north side of Cock’s Swamp and south side of Nottoway River. Wit: Joseph Claud, Francis Exum. Sig: Thomas [his X mark] Francis Rec: 14 Jan 1747. ^[1]

Deed: Thomas Gilliam Jr, to William Kirby
9 Oct 1765 • Southampton County, VA
175 acres deeded to Thomas in his infancy by Thomas Francis who it was deeded to by William Pope who patented it 28 Sep 1731/32, northside of Cocks Swamp. [Isle of Wight, southside Nottaway, northside Clarkes Swamp] ^[2]

Deed: Moses Westbrook to Grover Sharpe
24 Sep 1770 • Southampton County, VA
Wit: Will Andrews, Thomas Gilliam, Jr., ^[3]

Marriage
19 May 1774 • Sussex County, VA
Sarah "Sally" WILLIAMSON
(–1802)
As Thomas Gilliam Jr. of Southampton County, Thomas married Sarah Williamson in Sussex County 19 May (bond) 1774. Consent Arthur Williamson.

Residence
1779 • No Township Listed, Sussex County, VA

Will of Arthur Williamson
9 Mar 1781 • Sussex County, VA
Mentions daughter Sally Gilliam. Appointed Thomas Gilliam an executor.

Taxes
1782 • Southampton County, VA
Thomas Gilliam Jr. paid tax on 486 acres in Southampton County in 1782

Raccoon Swamp Baptist Church
May 1789 • Southampton County, VA
A church court suspended Thomas Gilliam from communion

Raccoon Swamp Baptist Church
Feb 1790 • Southampton County, VA
Church court charged Thomas Gilliam with misconduct

Estate of Arthur Williamson
4 Jul 1793 • Sussex County, VA
Thomas Gilliam mentioned in the estate of Arthur Williamson

Will of Thomas Gilliam, Sr
23 Sep 1793 • Southampton County, VA
Thomas Jr and his mother Cela are mentioned in the Will of Thomas Gilliam, Sr

Deed: Lucy and Richard Johnson to Thomas Gilliam
1 Jan 1794 • Southampton County, VA
Lucy Johnson and husband Richard Johnson of Wake County, NC to Thos Gilliam of Southampton £50 all my right in lands of my father Thomas Gilliam, decd. adj Richard Blow, W. Butts, Arthur Gilliam and ____ Clements. Wit: Kinchen Jelks, John Fort

Raccoon Swamp Baptist Church
Dec 1795 • Southampton County, VA
Church Court barred Thomas Gilliam from communion

Raccoon Swamp Baptist Church
May 1796 • Southampton County, VA
Church court excommunicated Thomas Gilliam. ^[4]

Personal Property Tax
1798 • Southampton County, VA

Deed: Thomas Gilliam Jr and Sally to ____
2 Oct 1802 • Southampton County, VA
Thomas, Jr. and Sally sold five hundred and twenty acres on the south side of the Nottoway River "beginning at a Persimmon standing on the run of the Raccoon Swamp."

Deed: Thomas Gilliam, Jr to Stith Tucker
16 Apr 1803 • Southampton County, VA
Thomas Gilliam, Jr to Capt Stith Tucker, three hundred and ninety acres on the north and south sides of the Nottoway River "being the land and premises whereon Thomas Gilliam, Sr. formerly resided"

Death
abt 1805 • Davidson County, TN

Will of Mary Tucker
1812
According to the 1812 will of Mary Tucker, Thomas was residing in Tennessee with daughters Sally, Susan, and Julia.

Estate of Thomas Gilliam, the younger
17 Apr 1837 • Southampton County, VA
Upon the death of Celia Sowerby Gilliam Champion, the estates of Thomas Gilliam, the elder and Thomas Gilliam, the younger were settled. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Deed Book 8, page 50
2. ↑ Deed Book 3, pages 393-394
3. ↑ Deed Book 4, p374-375
4. ↑ Minute Book, Raccoon Swamp Baptist Church, 1772-1837
5. ↑ Southampton County, VA, Will Book 11, p604