Norfolk, City of | Gilliams of Virginia

GILLIAMs of the City of Norfolk
Updated November 24, 2022

Background
Norfolk was located in Norfolk County, which is now extinct.  The city took the name from the former home of an early settler, Adam Thoroughgood, who was a native of the county of Norfolk in England.  Norfolk was established in 1680 by an act of assembly.  It was incorporated as a town in 1736 and as a city in 1845.  Norfolk was enlarged in 1906 by annexation of the town of Berkeley.


Parishes
East Parish, Upper Norfolk County, 1643-1646
Elizabeth River Parish, New Norfolk Co., 1636-1637; Upper Norfolk Co., before 1643-1643; Lower Norfolk Co., before 1643-1691; Norfolk Co., 1691
Lower Parish, Upper Norfolk County, 1643-1646
Lynnhaven Parish, Lower Norfolk County, 1643-1691
Portsmouth Parish, Norfolk County, 1761
Saint Brides, Norfolk County, 1761
South Parish, Upper Norfolk County, 1643-1646
Upper Parish, Upper Norfolk County, 1643-1646
West Parish, Upper Norfolk County, 1643-1646
Norfolk County Parishes

Princess Anne County Parishes
[For sake of clarity all parishes that were "in" Norfolk have been included.]
 


Overview
The family of James Dabney GILLIAM came to Norfolk from Prince Edward County around 1907. It has been said he arrived at the time of Jamestown Exposition Ter-Centennial which celebrated the 300th Anniversary of the Founding of Jamestown from April 26 to November 30, 1907. This statement is supported by the fact that James is found in the 1909 Norfolk Directory. James and family are found in the 1900 Farmville, Prince Edward County Census.
 

Cemeteries

Forest Lawn Cemetery
Jack W. Gilliam
Sgt 10 Co, 155 Depot Brig
World War 1
Birth: Nov. 15, 1897
Death: Jul. 28, 1953
Plot: Southwest Center Lot 384 Sp 4

[John W. Gilliam son of James Dabney Gilliam and Katherine Hetherton Archer]



James Dabney Gilliam
Birth: unknown
Death: Apr. 30, 1921
Plot: Southwest Center Lot 384 Sp 2
[Son of Richard James GIlliam and Catherine Elizabeth Thornton, baptized 30 Jun 1850, St. Luke’s, Powhatan County, VA]



Katherine Hetherton Archer
Birth: Feb. 2, 1869
Death: Nov. 16, 1945
Plot: Southwest Center Lot 384 Sp 1

[Daughter of Edward Dudley Archer and Helen Nott]
 

Cottages
4 Jul 1926

[Katherine H. Archer Gililam, the widow of James Dabney Gilliam, operated the Kenilworth at Ocean View in the 1920s and apparently purchased the property in 1926 as the above states: under new management. In April 1925, the Kenilworth was described as facing 50 feet of the Chesapeake Bay and extending back to the car line and boulevard and containing 14 rooms with bath houses and garage. At that time it was owned by J. M. Echols. Address between 20th and 22nd Streets.]
 

Directories
1909
GILLIAM Charlotte Miss, house: 15 W Westover Ave
*GILLIAM David, plumber, house: 48 Denby
GILLIAM Fenton O, shoemaker, 208 Church boards New Gladstone Hotel
GILLIAM Florence O Miss, house: 333 28th, Park Place
*GILLIAM Frank, keeper, Calvary Cemetery, house: 327 Queen
*GILLIAM Geo, lab, house: 14 Clarke's Row, Berkley Ward
*GILLIAM Henry, lab, house: 77 Calvert
*GILLIAM Henry, lab, house: 629 Chapel
*GILLIAM Hattie, laundress, house: Hanson Ave, Bruce Park
GILLIAM James D, conductor, house: 66 Tazewell
GILLIAM Julian, bkkpr I S Fine, house: 403 E Brambleton Ave
*GILLIAM Mary, cook, house: 14 Clarke's row, Berkley Ward
*GILLIAM Morris, lab, house: 39th nr Parker
*GILLIAM Nancy, laundress, house: 211 Brunswick, Berkley Ward
GILLIAM Paul S, instructor, house: 333 28th, Park Place
GILLIAM Peter Q, oyster planter, house: 333 28th, Park Place
GILLIAM Polly O Mrs, superintendent, Mary F Ballentine Home
*GILLIAM Preston J, medicines, house: 25 Lee, Huntersville
*GILLIAM Rebecca, laundress, house: 39th near Parker
*GILLIAM Robt, porter, house: 410 Main
GILLIAM Thos H, salesman, house: 33 W Redgate Ave
*GILLIAM Wm, lab, house: 1021 Middlesex, Berkley Ward
*GILLIAM Wm, lab, house: 36 Southall's Lane
*GILLIAM Wm L, waiter, house: 100 Washington Ave
*GILLIAM Wm T, carpenter, house: 191 Queen
1909 Norfolk Directory
[Astericks (*) denotes African Americans.]

A tracing of the family of James Dabney Gilliam through the Norfolk City Directories.

Year
Name
Occupation
Address
Misc.
1906
Polly O. Gilliam
Matron
Mary F. Ballentine Home
Widow of John
1907
Miss Nellie Archer

601 N 8th

1907
Mrs. Polly O Gilliam
Matron
Mary F. Ballentine Home

1908
James D. Gilliam
Conductor
66 Tazewell

1908
Mrs. Polly O. Gilliam
Superintendent
Mary F. Ballentine Home

1909
James D. Gilliam
Conductor
66 Tazewell

1909
Polly O. Gilliam
Superintendent
Mary F. Ballentine Home

1910
Jas D Gilliam

80 Boush

1910
Mrs. Catherine Gilliam
Boarding
80 Boush

1910
Archer Gilliam
Clerk Western Union Telegraph Co
80 Boush

1910
Miss Nellie Archer

80 Boush

1910
Polly O. Gilliam
Superintendent
Mary F. Ballentine Home
Widow John
1911
J. Dabney Gilliam
Tobacconist, Lobby, Bank of Commerce Building
80 Boush

1911
Mrs. Catherine Gilliam
Boarding
80 Boush

1911
Archer E. Gilliam
Clerk, Western Union Telegraph Company
80 Boush

1911
Polly O. Gilliam
Matron Mary F. Ballentine Home

Widow of John
1912
Archer Gilliam



1912
J. Dabney Gilliam
Tobacconist, Lobby Seaboard Bank Building


1912
Mrs. Catherine Gilliam
Boarding
80 Boush

1913
Archer Gilliam
Clerk, Western Union Telegraph Company
251 Boush

1913
Mrs. Catherine Gilliam
Boarding
251 Boush

1913
J. Dabney Gilliam
Cigars, Lobby Seaboard Bank Building
251 Boush

1914
Archer Gilliam
Clerk
251 Boush

1914
Mrs. Catherine Gilliam
Boarding
251 Boush

1914
J. Dabney Gilliam
Cigars, Lobby, Seaboard Bank Building
251 Boush

1914
J. Richard Gilliam
Clerk
251 Boush

1915
Archer E. Gilliam
Clerk, Western Union Telegraph Company
Yale Apartments

1915
Mrs. Catherine Gilliam
Boarding
251 Boush

1915
J. Dabney Gilliam

251 Boush

1915
Jno W. Gilliam
paperhanger
251 Boush

1916
Mrs. Katie Gilliam
Boarding
265 Boush

1916
Archer E. Gilliam
Clerk, Western Union Telegraph Company
Rochambeau Apartments

1916
J. Dabney Gilliam
Clerk, Norfolk Sheet Metal Works
265 Boush

1917
Archie E. Gilliam
Salesman
265 Boush

1917
Jack W. Gilliam
paperhanger
265 Boush

1917
James D. Gilliam
Clerk
265 Boush

1917
Mrs. Kate H. Gilliam
Boarding
265 Boush

1918
James D. Gilliam
watchman
122 College Place

1918
Mrs. Catherine Gilliam

122 College Place

1918
Mrs. Katherine H. Gilliam
proprietor
The Graham, 122 College Place

1919
James D. Gilliam
watchman
122 College Place

1919
Mrs. Katherine H. Gilliam
Furnishes Rooms 115 College Place
122 College Place

1920
James D Gilliam
Watchman
320 Duke

1920
Archer E Gilliam
Chief Deputy US Shipping Commissioner
81 La Salle Avenue

1920
Jack W Gilliam
Paperhanger
420 Duke Street

1920
Leroy F Clarke
Manager, The Supreme
273 West York

1920
Leroy F Clark
Cleaner
273 West York

1921
Non extant



1922
Archer E. Gilliam
Chief Deputy US Shipping Commissioner
81 Lafayette Ave, Lafayette Residence Park

1922
Jack Gilliam
paperhanger
327 Earlscourt Avenue, Chesterfield Heights

1922
James D. Gilliam
Watchman
320 Duke

1922
Leroy F Clarke
Proprietor, The Supreme
273 West York

1923
Archer E Gilliam
Deputy US Shipping Commissioner
81 La Salle

1923
Katie H. Gilliam widow of J. D.

320 Duke

1923
Leroy F Clarke
Manager, Footer’s Dye Works
273 West York

1924
Archer E Gilliam
Deputy US Shipping Commissioner
81 La Salle

1924
Jack Gilliam
paperhanger
327 Earls Court

1924
Katherine H. Gilliam

244 W. Freemason
widow of J. D.
1924
Leroy F Clarke
Proprietor, Footer’s Dye Works
519 Connecticut

1925
Archer E Gilliam
Deputy US Shipping Commissioner
81 La Salle

1925
Katherine H. Gilliam

244 W. Freemason
widow of J. D.
1925
Jack Gilliam
paperhanger
327 Earls Court

1925
Leroy F Clarke
Proprietor, Footer’s Dye Works
519 Connecticut

1926
Non extant



1927
Archer E Gilliam
Manager Miller Tires
1737 La Salle

1927
Jack Gilliam
Paperhanger
2837 Earlscourt Ave
Elizabeth
1927
Katy H. Gilliam

246 West Freemason
Widow of J. D.
1927
LeRoy F. Clarke
Manager Footer’s Dye Works Agency
519 Connecticut
Elizabeth H.
1928
Archer E. Gilliam
410 Monticello Avenue, Manager Miller Tire
1737 La Salle Avenue
Sydnie
1928
Kate H. Gilliam
Furnish room
246 West Freemason
Widow of J. D.
1929
Non extant



1930
Archer E. Gilliam
Manager Miller Tire Service Co
436 Massachusetts
Sydnie J.
1930
Jack W Gilliam
Paperhanger
322 Hamilton
Thelma
1930
Katherine H. Gilliam

246 West Freemason
Widow of Jas D
1931
Katherine H. Gilliam

246 West Freemason
Widow of Jas D
1931
Archie E Gilliam
Salesman Lee Tire and Rubber Company of NY
426 Massachusetts Avenue
Sidney
1931
Jack W. Gilliam
paperhanger
2837 Earls Court
Frances
1932
LeRoy F Clarke
Clarke Cleaners
519 Connecticut
Elizabeth H
1933
Archer E Gilliam
Special Agent Continental American Life Insurance Company
436 Massachusetts Avenue
Sidney
1933
Jack W. Gilliam
paperhanger
2837 Earls Court
Frances
1933
Katherine H. Gilliam
Boarding
244 West Freemason
Widow of Jas D
1935
Archer E. Gilliam
Economy Auto Supply Company
4807 Newport`
Sydnie J.
1935
Katherine H. Gilliam
Furnish Rooms
244 West Freemason
Widow of Jas D
1936
Archer E. Gilliam
Economy Auto Supply Company
4807 Newport Avenue
Sydnie J.
1936
Katherine Gilliam

324 Duke
Widow of Jas D
1936
Leroy F Clarke
Clarke’s Cleaners and Dyers
519 Connecticut
Helen E
1937
Archer E. Gilliam
Economy Auto Supply Company
4807 Newport Avenue
Sydnie J.
1937
Jack W. Gilliam
Paperhanger
839 West 51st Street
Helen J.
1937
Katherine H. Gilliam

620 Colonial Avenue
Widow of Jas D.
1938
Archer E. Gilliam
Economy Auto Supply Company
4612 Colonial Avenue
Sydnie J.
1938
Jack W. Gilliam
Paperhanger
230 Franklin Avenue
Helen J.
1938
Katherine H. Gilliam

620 Colonial Avenue
Widow of Jas D.
1938
LeRoy F. Clarkes
Cleaners
519 Connecticut
Elizabeth H.
1939
Jack W. Gilliam
Paperhanger
230 Franklin Avenue
Helen J
1939

Economy Auto Supply Company
575 Church

1939
Archer E. Gilliam
Economy Auto Supply Company
4612 Colonial Avenue
Sydnie J.
1939
Katherine H. Gilliam

620 Colonial Avenue
Widow of Jas D.
1940
Katherine H. Gilliam

620 Colonial Avenue
Widow of Jas D.
1940
Jack D. Gilliam
Paperhanger
230 Franklin Avenue
Helen J
1940
Archer E. Gilliam
Economy Auto Supply Company
4612 Colonial Avenue
Sydnie J.
1940
Nellie Archer

322 Hamilton

1941
Archer E. Gilliam
Economy Auto Supply Company
4612 Colonial Avenue
Sydnie J.
1941
Archer E. Gilliam, Jr.
Student
4612 Colonial Avenue

1941
Jack W. Gilliam
Paperhanger
230 Franklin Avenue
Helen J
1941
Katherine H. Gilliam

620 Colonial Avenue
Widow of Dabney
1942
Archer E. Gilliam
Economy Auto Supply Company
4612 Colonial Avenue
Sydnie J.
1942
Archer E. Gilliam, Jr.
Clerk, Economy Auto Supply Company
4612 Colonial Avenue

1942
Jack W. Gilliam
Paperhanger
230 Franklin Avenue
Helen J
1942
Katherine H. Gilliam

620 Colonial Avenue
Widow of Jas D.
1946

Archer E. Gilliam, Jr.
Clerk, Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1946
Jack W. Gilliam
Helen J
Paperhanger
230 Franklin Avenue

1946

Katherine H. Gilliam

620 Colonial Avenue
Widow of Jas D.
1946
Archer E. Gilliam
Sydnie J.
Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1947

Jack Gilliam
Helen
Paper hanger Lebault andDeal
2504 Cromwell Avenue

1947
Archer E. Gilliam
Sydnie J.

Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1947

Archer E. Gilliam, Jr.
Salesman, Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1949

Jack Gilliam
Helen J.

Paper hanger

2504 Cromwell Avenue

1949
Archer E. Gilliam
Sydnie J.

Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1949

Archer E. Gilliam, Jr.
Salesman, Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1949
Wilford J. Buskey

Salesman, Economy Auto Supply Company
300 Rodgers Drive

1951

Jack Gilliam
Helen
Paper hanger Lebault and Deal
2504 Cromwell Avenue

1951
Archer E. Gilliam
Sydnie J.

Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1951

Archer E. Gilliam, Jr.
Assistant Manager, Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1951

Wilfred J. L. Buskey
Salesman Economy Auto Supply Company
300 Rodgers


1954
Helen J. Gillam

2504 Cromwell

1954
Archer E. Gilliam
Sydnie J.
Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1954
Archer E. Gilliam, Jr.
Assistant Manager, Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1954

Agnes K Buskey

Traffic Guard, Division of City Police
331 W Rodgers

1954

Wilfred J. L.
Agnes G.
Salesman, Economy Auto Supply
1309 Norcova Drive

1958
Archer E. Gilliam
Sydnie J.
Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1958

Archer E. Gilliam, Jr.
Manager, Continental Supply [sic]
530 Delaware Avenue

1958
William E. Farrow
Helen
Machinist
Norfolk Naval Ship Yard
2504 Cromwell Drive

1958

Agnes K Buskey
Wilfred J. L.
School Guard, City Police
1309 W. Norcova Drive

1958

Wilfred J. L.
Agnes G.

Salesman, Economy Auto Supply
1309 W. Norcova Drive

1960
Archer E. Gilliam
Sydnie J.
Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1960
Archer E. Gilliam, Jr.
Salesman, Economy Auto Supply Company
530 Delaware Avenue

1960
William E. Farrow
Machinist
Norfolk Naval Ship Yard
2504 Cromwell Drive
Helen J.
1960
Mrs. Agnes G. Buskey
Traffic Guard, City Police
1309 W. Norcova Drive

1960
Wilfred J. L.
Salesman, Economy Auto Supply
1309 W. Norcova Drive
Agnes G.




FBI Case Files
Archer Edward Gilliam, Sr. was investigated by the FBI
Investigative Case Files of the Bureau of Investigation 1908-1922. Records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Record Group 65, Publication Number M1085; National Archives, Washington. Footnote.com
 

Obituaries

Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Landmark, May 1 and 2, 1921:
May 1, 1921
James Dabney GILLIAM died suddenly at 4:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon at his home, 320 Duke Street. He is survived by his wife, two sons, John W. and Archer E. GILLIAM and one daughter, Mrs. L. F. Clark all of Norfolk.

May 2, 1921
GILLIAM, James Dabney, suddenly at the residence 320 Duke Street, Saturday, April 30, 1921 at 5:06 p.m. James Dabney GILLIAM, age 68. Services at H. D. Oliver’s Funeral Apartments, 610-12 East Freemason Street. This (Monday) afternoon at two o’clock. Friends of the family are invited to attend. Internment Forest Lawn Cemetery.
 


Sources
  • 1909 Norfolk Directory
  • Investigative Case Files of the Bureau of Investigation 1908-1922. Records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Record Group 65, Publication Number M1085; National Archives, Washington. Footnote.com
  • Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Landmark, May 1 and 2, 1921: