1860 Free Blacks | Gilliams of Virginia

1860 Free Blacks
Updated November 25, 2022


Background
This database details those Free Blacks named Gilliam enumerated in the 1860 United States Federal Census, the Eighth Census of the United States.

Enumerators of the 1860 census were instructed to record the names of every person in the household. Added to this, enumerators were presented with printed instructions, which account for the greater degree of accuracy compared with earlier censuses. Enumerators were asked to include the following categories in the census: name; age as of the census day; sex; color; birthplace; occupation of persons over age fifteen; value of real estate; whether married within the previous year; whether deaf, dumb, blind, insane, a pauper, or a convict; whether able to read or speak English; and whether the person attended school within the previous year. No relationships were shown between members of a household. The categories allowed Congress to determine persons residing in the United States for collection of taxes and the appropriation of seats in the House of Representatives.

Overview
In 1860 there were 31 Free Blacks and Mulattoes enumerated in the Federal Census. This figure is down about 25% from 1850, possibly due to the seeking better fortunes outside Virginia. Of these only 10 were listed as Black; the remaining 21 were listed as Mulatto. The oldest was Aggy Gilliam of the South Ward of Petersburg, age 87. It does not appear that Aggy was enumerated in the 1850 Federal Census.

Name County Age Birth Year Gender Status
James Gellin Meherrin, Brunswick 52 1808 Male Black
George Gilliam James City 6 abt 1854 Male Black
Harichy Gilliam James City 35 abt 1825 Male Black
Jana Gilliam James City 3 abt 1857 Female Black
Priscilla Gilliam James City 25 abt 1835 Female Black
Asbury Gilliam East Ward, Petersburg 50 abt 1810 Male Black
Elizabeth Gilliam East Ward, Petersburg 39 abt 1821 Female Mulatto
Aggy Gilliam South Ward, Petersburg 87 abt 1773 Female Black
Ann Gilliam West Ward, Petersburg 40 abt 1820 Female Mulatto
Glidewell Gilliam West Ward, Petersburg 16 abt 1844 Male Mulatto
John Gilliam West Ward, Petersburg 20 abt 1840 Male Mulatto
Martha Gilliam West Ward, Petersburg 36 abt 1824 Female Black
Virginia A Gilliam West Ward, Petersburg 18 abt 1842 Female Mulatto
Wm H Gilliam West Ward, Petersburg 24 abt 1836 Male Mulatto
Chas Gilliam Prince George 54 abt 1806 Male Mulatto
Elizth Gilliam Prince George 2 abt 1858 Female Mulatto
F Gilliam Prince George 20 abt 1840 Female Mulatto
Henry Gilliam Prince George 22 abt 1838 Male Mulatto
Judy Gilliam Prince George 70 abt 1790 Female Black
M Gilliam Prince George 25 abt 1835 Female Mulatto
Maria Gilliam Prince George 63 abt 1797 Female Mulatto
Maria Gilliam Prince George 16 abt 1844 Female Mulatto
Mary Gilliam Prince George 15 abt 1845 Female Mulatto
P Gilliam Prince George 48 abt 1812 Female Black
P Gilliam Prince George 29 abt 1831 Female Mulatto
R Gilliam Prince George 11 abt 1849 Male Mulatto
R M Gilliam Prince George 49 abt 1811 Male Mulatto
S Gilliam Prince George 18 abt 1842 Female Mulatto
William Gilliam Prince George 19 abt 1841 Male Mulatto
Wills Gilliam Prince George 5 abt 1855 Male Mulatto
Armstead Gilham Cross Road, Shenandoah 29 abt 1831 Female Mulatto

Sources
  • Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls.