Updated March 29, 2011
Background
Union County was named for the old Union Church, which served both the Presbyterian and Episcopal congregations in the area. The church was erected in 1765 near the present day town of Union, the county seat.
Union County was created as a part of Ninety Six District in 1785. It was part of Pinckney District from 1791 to 1800 and became a separate district when Pinckney was dissolved in 1800. The upper part of the county later went to form Cherokee County in 1897. The early settlers in this area were mainly Scotch-Irish from Virginia and Pennsylvania, who began immigrating to the South Carolina upcountry in the 1750s.
Overview
Deeds
Nov 1814
Lewis Wood to Reuben Gilliam, 75 acres SW side of Cane Creek, adj. Jacob Hollingsworth, Rucker Mauldin.
Wit: Hundley McShan, Edward Stevens, Nathan Sims. Chencley Wood, wife of Lewis, relinquished dower 22 May 1816.
Union County, SC, Deed Book___, page ____
Family History
Wills
20 Nov 1794
Will of James Sims of Union County
To Wm Gilliam and his wife Nancy all the negroes and other estate formerly delivered and now in their possession.
To Peter Brasellman and Drusilla his wife; all negroes formerly delivered and now in their possession.
To Daughter Anne G Sims: 1 negro woman named Tabb and her 5 children; and in case my dau should die without lawful heirs; issue then to be equally divided among my 5 children (viz) Drusilla Brazleman; Mathew; John; Nathan and Reuben Sims the residue of my estate shall remain in possession of my wife Elizabeth; after her death or intermarriage; estate to be appraised by 3 justice of the peace of this county with the assistance of my Exor; to be equally divided among my 4 sons; Matthew; John; Nathan and Reuben Sims they paying to my son James the 1/5 part of the appraisement of the slaves; if either of my said sons should died without heirs then their part equally divided between my 2 daughters Drusilla Brazleman and Anne Glenn Sims and the survivors of my said sons;
my wife Elizabeth Exertrix and my friends Peter Brazelaman and John Sanders exors 20 Nov 1794
Sig: James Sims
Wit: Joshua Keworthy; John Kenworthy; and Cornelius Wilson
Union County, SC, Will Book A, page ____
[Nancy, married William Gilliam who settled in Newberry from Virginia. It is most likely that William Gilliam hailed from Hanover County, VA, for a William Gilliam was the overseer for James Sims in 1782.]
1817
Will of Sampson Gilliam
Union County, SC Probate Index, 1782-1865
1835
Will of Bird Gilliam
Union County, SC Probate Index, 1782-1865
1835
Will of Drucilla Gilliam
Union County, SC Probate Index, 1782-1865
23 Sep 1864
Will of Robert W. Gilliam
Whereas I Robert W. Gilliam of the State aforesaid late of Newberry District but now of Union District, being about to travel to the West, and thinking of the causalities of travel and desiring to dispose of my worldly good and estate in the event of my death, do make, ordain, and establish this as my Will.
Item 1st, it is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid
Item 2nd I hereby after the payment of my debts and all liabilities to my sureties P. B. Rutherford and George Blair of Newberry District on my administration bond of the estate of Reubin Gilliam, give, devise and bequeath my whole estate both real and personal of what nature so ever to my brother Reubin S. Gilliam and my sister Drucilla Gee during the term of their natural lives respectively share and share alike my negroes not to be sold but divided between them and if either should die leaving no lawful child living at their death then that portion hereby devised and bequeathed to him or her to go to the child or children of the other.
Item 3rd It is my will and desire that my said brother and sister shall pay my cousins James Gorie and Thomson Gorie each five hundred dollars out of the estate hereby bequeathed to them.
Witness my hand and seal this twenty-second day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred fifty nine and in the eighty third year of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America.
Sig: Robert W. Gilliam
Signed, sealed and published as the last Will of Robert W. Gilliam before us who witnessed the same in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other
R. Macbeth, B. F. Arthur, Thos B. Jeter.
Union District, South Carolina
By Columbus Gage, Ordinary, personally appeared before me, R. Macbeth one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing who after being duly sworn said on oath that he saw Robert W. Gilliam sign and declare the same to be his last will and that the said Robert W. Gilliam was then of sound mind and disposing mind, memory and understanding tot he best of deponents knowledge and belief, that he the said R. Macbeth with B. F. Arthur and T. B. Jeter signed their as witnesses thereto by request of the testator in his presence and in the presence of each other.
Given under my hand this 23rd day of September AD 1864.
Union County, SC Probate Index, 1782-1865
Sources