John Gilliam (abt. 1735 - bef. 1792)

Born about 1735 in Charles City County, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Murrell) Gilliam — married 27 Sep 1764 in Goochland, Virginia

Husband of Sarah (Christy) Gilliam — married 11 Apr 1781 in Albemarle, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died before Jun 1792 before about age 57 in Albemarle, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Greg Gilliam [send private message]

Biography

John was born about 1735. He was the son of Epaphroditus Gilliam. He passed away before 1792.

John Gilliam first married Elizabeth Murrell on 27 Sep 1764 in Goochland County, Virginia. She had previously been married to Richard Fields and had five children when she married John Gilliam. It is believed that Elizabeth died before 1781 when a marriage is recorded for John Gilliam & Sarah "Sally" Christie on 11 Apr 1781 in Albemarle County, VA. They had two children named in his will. He passed away in 1792.

Elizabeth's brother, Drury Murrell married Dorcas Roundtree, hence the Roundtree connections. Elizabeth's brother, Cornelius Murrell were the namesakes of Cornelius Gilliam.

John and Elizabeth lived in Goochland and then St Ann's Parish and North Garden and South Garden and had dealings Nathaniel Giles, John Lee Webster, and John Wilkinson of Baltimore County and Province of Maryland regarding an Ore Mine. Wilkinson buys out his partners and is joined by John Old. A deed between a Benjamin White and Old & Wilkinson is witnesses by Richard & Arthur Gilliam.

While living in Albemarle John and Elizabeth sold land in Goochland to Drury Murrell.

The following deed has been attributed to this John Gilliam due to connection to Fields family; however, at this time John was still found in Goochland.
Deed: Joseph Fitzpatrick to John Gillum
27 May 1761• Albemarle County, VA
Jos. Fitzpatrick, planter, and wife Mary Perrin of Parish of St Ann, to John Gillum of same, For £92-10, 180 acres and 10 adj. South Garden, adj. Wm. Fitzpatrick, Ro. Lewis, North Garden, Hugh Morris, Thos. Fitzpatrick, Jacob Moon & Wm. Fitzpatrick. Pat. to Jos. Fitzpatrick, 1747 Wit: Geo. Anderson, Jno Woodson, Wm Fields. & Jno. Fielder ^[1]

John and Elizabeth were the parents of three sons:

• Epaphroditus (named after John's father)
• Cornelius (named after Elizabeth's brother)
• John Jr

Elizabeth died before 1781 when John married on 11 Apr 1781 Sally CHRISTIE.

John and Sally had two children

• William
• Tabitha

Misconceptions, etc.

It has been repeatedly and incorrectly stated that John Gilliam and Elizabeth Murrell of Albemarle County, VA are the parents of the Gilliams of Crawford and Washington Counties, MO. John is not the father of the Gilliams of Crawford and Washington Counties, MO as is demonstrated by his Will. Rather, they are the sons of Burrell Gilliam, the son of Edmond Gilliam, of Orange County, NC. The Gilliams of Crawford and Washington Counties repeatedly use the given names Burrell and Edmond.

Timeline

Birth
abt 1740 • Charles City County, VA

Processioning
26 Feb 1764 • Goochland County, VA
Processioners: Wm Royster & John Johnson. Tarlton Woodson & Nathaniel Webster. . . Joseph Lewis’ Plantation at head of Janito Creek. Abraham Perkins & Edward McBride John Woodson & Thomas Bayley . . . To William Roundtree, John Gillum

Marriage
27 Sep 1764 • St James Northam Parish, Goochland, Virginia
by Rev. William Douglas
Elizabeth MURRELL
(1735–1781)

Inventory of William Roundtree
Dec 1765 • Goochland County, VA
Among the Accounts of William Roundtree was Jno Gilham. [Elizabeth's brother Drury Murrell married Dorcas Roundtree]

Deed: John Gillum, of Albemarle to Joel Terrell
12 Feb 1768 • Albemarle County, VA
John Gillum, of Albemarle County, sold land to Joel Terrell in North and South Garden adj. Giles, Webster, & Wilkerson, No mention of Elizabeth.^[2]

Deed: John Gillum & Elizabeth, St Anns, to Nathaniel Giles et al
14 Nov 1768 • Albemarle County, VA
John and Elizabeth sell to Nathaniel Giles, John Lee Webster, and John Wilkinson of Baltimore County and Province of Maryland, a parcel of land containing by estimation ten acres be the same more of less lying and being in the County of Albemarle. ^[3]

Deed: John Gillum to Drury Murrell
10 Apr 1770 • Goochland County, VA
Parish of St. James, John Gillum to Drury Murrell, of County of Louisa, Frederick Parish, 13 acres, 10 Apr 1770. Sig: John [his X mark] Gillum, Elizabeth [her X mark] Gillum Goochland County, VA,^[4]

Deed: John Gillum to Drury Murrell
30 Nov 1772 • Goochland County, VA
John Gillum of Albemarle Co. sold Drury Murrell of Goochland Co., 119 acres on the Louisa Co. line. Sig: John [his X mark] Gillum ^[5]

Marriage
11 Apr 1781 • Albemarle County, VA
by Rev. Benjamin Burger
Sally CHRISTIE

Will of John Gilliam
30 Nov 1791 • Albemarle County, VA
Will of John Gilliam 1791 presented 1792, of Albemarle Co., VA, mentions sons Epaphroditus, Cornelius, and John. Also, a new wife, Sarah, and young children William and Tabitha. If Sarah dies, William and Tabitha to be left with someone like John Mills ^[6]

Death
bef Jun 1792 • Albemarle County, VA

Probate of Will of John Gilliam
Jun 1792 • Albemarle County, VA
This last Will & Testament of John Gilliam, Deceased, was produced into Court & proved by the Oaths of Presley Dollins & Gideon Pulliam two of the Witnesses thereto & ordered to be Recorded.

Will of John Gillum

Will of John GILLIAM Dated 30 Nov 1791, Presented June 1792 Albemarle County, VA

In the name of God, Amen. I John GILLIAM of Albemarle County being sick and weak of body and of sound and perfect memory, thanks be to God for the same and knowing the uncertainty of this earthly life do make and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following [viz.] revoking and making void all will or wills by me formerly made first I recommend my soul to Almighty God in which and by the merits of Jesus Christ I trust and believe to be saved and my body to be buried in such decent and Christian like manner as my Executrix hereafter named shall think fit and for my temporal Estate and whatever else God hath been pleased to bestow upon me I give and bequeath as follows:

Imprimis I give and bequeath to my loving wife, Sarah GILLIAM in during her widowhood, my land on which I now live, likewise all the rest of my Estate whatever it may or rest of and if she should marry then consist my two sons John & William GILLIAM should be bound to John Mills or such a Master as my wife Sarah shall think proper, & after her Death my land to be sold & Equally divided between my three sons, Cornelius, John & William GILLIAM, my movable Estate to be sold in order to raise as much money as shall make my daughter Tabitha GILLIAMs portion equal with my three Sons & what may be over to be equally divided between my four Children above mentioned.

Item I give and bequeath my Eldest son Epaphroditus GILLIAM, one shilling Sterling.

Lastly I constitute and appoint my loving wife Sarah GILLIAM my whole Executrix of this my last will and Testament.

Signed, Sealed this thirtieth day of November one thousand seven hundred and ninety one.

John GILLIAM (his X mark)

Signed and Sealed in the presence of Thomas Pannell, Presley Dollins, Gedian Pulliam.

At Albemarle, June Court 1792. This last Will & Testament of John GILLIAM, Deceased, was produced into Court & proved by the Oaths of Presley Dollins & Gideon Pulliam two of the Witnesses thereto & ordered to be Recorded. Teste John Nicholas, Clk. ^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Albemarle County, VA, Deed Book 3, p. 95-7
2. ↑ Albemarle County, VA, Deed Book 5, p. 63-5.
3. ↑ Albemarle County, VA, Deed Book 5, p. 135-6
4. ↑ Goochland County, VA, Deed Book 10, p. 38
5. ↑ Goochland County, VA, Deed Book 10, p. 355
6. ↑ Gilliam Clan Newsletters 1978-1 and 1985-2
7. ↑ Albemarle County, VA, Will Book 3, page 157

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