Updated November 25, 2022
Background
Wilson County was created 1799 from Sumner County; named in honor of David Wilson (1752-1804?), Revolutionary War soldier, member of the North Carolina legislature and the legislature of the Territory south of the River Ohio (later Tennessee).
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Overview
Census
1820
Charly Gilliam
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Statesville, Wilson, Tennessee
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 14: 2
Slaves - Males - 14 thru 25: 2
Slaves - Females - Under 14: 6
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 3
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 5
Free White Persons - Under 16: 2
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 5
Total Slaves: 13
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 1
[Charles Gilliam married Ann Smith, 10 May 1799 in Guilford County, NC]
1830
Hyram Gillum
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Wilson, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 3
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 6
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 8
Ann Gillam
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Wilson, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 6
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 2
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 10
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 3
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 3
Slaves - Females - 55 thru 99: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 1
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 5
Total Slaves: 25
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 30
[Widow of Charles Gilliam, nee Ann Smith]
Edmond Gillam
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Wilson, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 1
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 2
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 3
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 4
Total Slaves: 8
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 12
[Edmond is the son of Charles and Ann Smith]
Levi S. Gillum
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Wilson, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 1
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total Slaves: 1
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 4
[Levi S. Gilliam married Elizabeth Hodges on 9 Feb 1830 in Wilson County, TN]
1840
Edmund Gillam
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Wilson, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Slaves - Males - 36 thru 54: 2
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 2
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 7
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 4
Total Free White Persons: 11
Total Slaves: 5
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 16
Hiram Gillam
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Wilson, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 8
1850
Edmond Gilliam
Age: 53
Birth Year: abt 1797
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1850: District 18, Wilson, Tennessee
Gender: Male
Family Number: 1123
Edmond Gilliam, age 53
Loucinday Gilliam, age 48
Elizabeth Gilliam, age 16
William Gilliam, age 19
Mary Gilliam, age 14
1860
David Gilliam
Age in 1860: 32
Birth Year: abt 1828
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1860: District 24, Wilson, Tennessee
Gender: Male
Post Office: Rural Hill
David Gilliam, age 32
Martha Gilliam, age 38
Sarah I Gilliam, age 12
Missouri C Gilliam, age 10
William T Gilliam, age 8
Jane P Gilliam, age 6
John H Gilliam, age 4
Robt N Gilliam, age 2
[David Wesley Gilliam married Martha Brewer on 3 Feb 1846 in Wilson County, TN. In 1850 David and Martha and daughter Sarah are found in Davidson County, TN. David is the son of Henry Gilliam who married Fanny Shaw on 28 Jul 1827 in Wilson County, TN]
W J Gilliam
Age in 1860: 28
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1860: District 18, Wilson, Tennessee
Gender: Male
Post Office: Cainsville
W J Gilliam, age 28
Susan Gilliam, age 26
Alice Gilliam, age 5
Lucinda Gilliam, age 3
[William, son of Edmund Gilliam and Lucinda Merritt married Susan R. Arnold on 30 Aug 1854, in Wilson County, TN]
1870
Isaac W Dill
Age in 1870: 42
Birth Year: abt 1828
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1870: District 18, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Simmons Bluff
Isaac W Dill, age 42
Elizabeth Dill, age 35
Marcus Dill, age 6
Edmond Gilliam, age 70
Mary J Gilliam, age 34
Jane Gilliam, age 19
Edward Gilliam, age 25
Mary Gilliam, age 20
Lowena Gilliam, age 8
Abram Gilliam, age 1
[Edmond Gilliam is living with his Mary J. and Elizabeth and her husband Isaac Wright Dill. Also in the household is a black family who appears to have the surname of Gilliam. Jane is found in the 1880 census with Isaac as Jane Robertson.]
Stephen Gillem
Age in 1870: 35
Birth Year: abt 1835
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1870: District 17, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Post Office: Cainsville
Stephen Gillem, age 35
Jennie Gillem, age 34
Carrie Gillem, age 14
Dora Gillem, age 11
Fannie Gillem, age 9
Thomas Gillem, age 5
Marcus Gillem, age 1
Mary Gillem, age 7
[Stephen Gilliam married Jenny Patterson on 22 Aug 1865 in Wilson County, TN. Stephen and Jenny are African Americans.]
John Gillem
Age in 1870: 23
Birth Year: abt 1847
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1870: District 17, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Post Office: Cainsville
John Gillem, age 23
Louisa Gillem, age 20
Alice Gillem, age 6
Elizabeth Gillem, age 8/12
Henry Gillem, age 30
[John and Louisa are African Americans.]
1880
Abraham Gilliam
Age: 60
Birth Year: abt 1820
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: District 18, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Emla Gilliam
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Occupation: Laborer
Abraham Gilliam, age 60
Emla Gilliam, age 30
Sarah Gilliam, age 10
Senith Gilliam, age 9
Charles Toliver
Age: 20
Birth Year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: District 20, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Frances Toliver
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Charles Toliver, age 20
Frances Toliver, age 18
Jennie Gilliam, age 50
[Jenny is listed as divorced. It appears that she is Jenny Patterson who married Stephen Gilliam in 1865]
Anthony Gilliam
Age: 45
Birth Year: abt 1835
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: District 18, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: Mulatto
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Sarah Gilliam
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Occupation: Laborer
Anthony Gilliam, age 45
Sarah Gilliam, age 42
Armstead Gilliam, age 22
Robert Gilliam, age 18
Suaan Gilliam, age 14
Thomas Gilliam, age 12
John Gilliam, age 10
Dealy Gilliam, age 9
Henry Gilliam, age 6
Ater Gilliam, age 2
Charlotte Sullivan, age 24
Louella Sullivan, age 7
David Sullivan, age 3
James Gilliam
Age: 40
Birth Year: abt 1840
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: District 19, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Widower
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Occupation: Laborer
James Gilliam, age 40
Anthony Mcado, age 25
Sally Mcado, age 22
James Mcado, age 1
Stephen Gilliam
Age: 38
Birth Year: abt 1842
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: District 18, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Ann Gilliam
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Name: Ritter Simmons
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Stephen Gilliam, age 38
Ann Gilliam, age 27
Sarah J. Gilliam, age 11
Charles Gilliam, age 9
H. G. Gilliam, age 2
Nelly Gilliam, age 8m
Ritter Simmons , age 64
Marcus Simmons, age 11
Thomas Simmons, age 13
Mary Simmons, age 14
John Gilliam
Age: 30
Birth Year: abt 1850
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: District 17, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Lucy Gilliam
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
John Gilliam, age 30
Lucy Gilliam, age 30
Alace Gilliam, age 10
Elizabeth Gilliam, age 8
Florence Gilliam, age 6
Bud Gilliam, age 4
Floyd Gilliam, age 2
Ann Gilliam, age 1
J. B. Arnold
Age: 78
Birth Year: abt 1802
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: District 17, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Widower
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
J. B. Arnold 78
E. P. Arnold 42
A. E. Gilliam 25
Florence Gilliam 12
[Both A. E. and Florence are listed as grand daughters of J. B. Arnold. A. E. appears to be Alice the daughter of William J. Gilliam and Susan Arnold. E. P. Arnold is Eudora Parthena Arnold, the sister of Susan and daughter of John B. and Frances Arnold]
W. T. Gilliam
Age: 23
Birth Year: abt 1857
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: District 1, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Lillie Gilliam
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
W. T. Gilliam, age 23
Lillie Gilliam, age 19
Jessie Pearl Gilliam, age 2
No Name Gilliam, age 2m
Ollie Jennings, age 14
[W. T. Gilliam is William Thomas Gilliam, and apparently Lillie was nee Lillie Jennings as Ollie is listed as a brother-in-law. The no name male is listed in the 1900 census as James.]
Isaac Williams
Age: 55
Birth Year: abt 1825
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1880: District 20, Wilson, Tennessee
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Milly Williams
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Farmer
Isaac Williams, age 55
Milly Williams, age 53
Jordan Williams, age 19
Henry Williams, age 16
Frank Williams, age 11
Sallie Gilliam, age 16
Maranda Gilliam, age 14
George Gilliam, age 11
[Sallie, Maranda and George are listed as grandchildren of Isaac Williams]
Wills
Will of Charles Gillum
24 Dec 1827
I Charles Gillum state of Tennessee Wilson County, knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, I do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament
Item, it is my desire that Edmund Gillum have three negroes named Soney [?], Henry and Nancy, also it is my Will that my son William Gillum have four negroes named Abram, Robertson, Hanner, and Ritter, two feather beds and furniture one cow and calf
Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Peggy Gillum five negroes named Vilet, Fanny, Lucy, Susey, and Aaron, hone horse, and saddle, 2 of each beds and furniture and on turned bedstead, one cow, and calf one bureaw [burro]
Also I give to my daughter Sarah Gillum five negroes, named Lidda, Gracy, Jim, John and Martha, one horse and saddle, 2 feather beds, and furniture one turned bedstead, one cow and calf and one bureaw [burro]
The balance of my estate I do lend unto my wife Anny Gillum during her life time both real and personal, and at her death it is my desire the land and plantation should be equally divided to Edmund and William, and then the balance to be equally divided to all four Edmond, William, Peggy, and Sarah, all to equal shares
As Witnesses my hands and seal this 24th day of December 1827
Sig: Charles Gillum
Teste
Daniel Trigg, Jurat,
John E. Dance, Jurat
Thomas Learey
Sate of Tennessee
Wilson County, Court
Septem Session 1829
The within last Will and Testament of Charles Gillum decd was exhibited in open court and duly proven by the oaths of Daniel Grigg and Jno E. Dance two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered by the court to be recorded
Teste
John Stone, Clerk of said Court
Recorded 20th Octo 1829
Teste
John Stone, Clerk of said Court
Heirs: Anne Gillum; son William Gillum; daughters Peggy and Sarah Gillum.
Wit: Daniel Trigg, John Dance and Thomas P.____.
Rec: 20 Oct 1829.
[Charles is the son of Edmund and Sarah Gilliam of Orange County, NC]
Wilson County, TN, Will & Inventory Book 5, 1827-1830, pp. 403-404
17 Dec 1858
Will of William Gilliam
I William Gilliam do publish this as my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time made.
First I direct that my funeral expenses and my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may die possessed of, or my first come in the hands of my executor.
Secondly I desire that all my land and negroes be equally divided in three parts share and share alike, one third to Edmund Gilliam, one third to Margaret Brown’s children, she being dead and one third to Sarah M. Allsup during her natural life for the use and benefit of her and her children and at he death to be equally divided between her children share and share alike.
Thirdly, I desire all my personal property consisting of horses, mules, cattle, hogs, sheep, farming tools, household and kitchen furniture or any thing I may die seized and possessed of to be sold and the proceeds divided in the same way.
I do hereby nominate and appoint Edmund Gilliam my executor in ______whereof I do ___ my will, set my hand and seal this 15th day of December 1858.
Sig: W. Gilliam
Signed, sealed and published in our presence and we have subscribed our names hereto in the presence of the Testator this 17th day of December 1858.
Witnesses A. S. Ivey, W. C [his X mark]. Clemmons, John A. Clopton
State of Tennessee, Wilson County, Court February Term 1867
The last Will and Testament of W. Gilliam decd was produced in open court and fully proved by the oaths of A. S. Ivy, and W. C. Clemmons Subscribing witnesses to the sworn and it was ordered by the court that it be recorded as the Last Will of said deceased
Recorded 10th February 1867.
[William is the son of Charles and Sarah Gilliam, and the sibling of Margaret, Sarah and Edmund, mentioned in William’s Will.]
Familysearch.org. Tennessee, Probate Court Books, 1795-1927, Wilson, Inventories, Wills, 1866-1871 Image 54 of 244
Sources
- Familysearch.org. Tennessee, Probate Court Books, 1795-1927, Wilson, Inventories, Wills, 1866-1871
- Wilson County, TN, Will & Inventory Book