(Note: The names of heirs have been capitalized to aid readers.)
In the name of God: I, JAMES GILLIAM, of the County of Sumner and State of Tennessee, do make this my last will and testament of the property which it hath pleased God to bless me with. I do make the following distribution amongst my dear wife, FRANCES, and my children. - I have given to my children as follows: To my son, JOHN H. GILLIAM, Louisa, Milly's daughter - to my son, JAMES GILLIAM, Susannah, Dapny's youngest daughter - to my daughter, SARAH HAWKINS, Dapny, Biddy's daughter - to my daughter, POLLY WEBB, Polly, Milly's daughter - to my daughter, MARTHA HARRIS, Maria, Biddy's daughter - to my son, CHARLES H. GILLIAM, Sam, Inez's son - to my son, TAYLOR G. GILLIAM, Henry, Inez's son - to my daughter, NANCY H. GILLIAM, Biddy, Biddy's daughter - to my son, STEPHEN R. GILLIAM, Suchy, Inez's daughter - to my daughter, SUSANNAH WOODSON's two sons, JAMES AND RICHARD WOODSON, Abraham, Biddy's son - to my daughter, FRANCES PATTERSON's children, Betsy, Biddy's daughter. The above mentioned Abraham and Betsy, my wife is to keep during her life. The above mentioned Negroes to said children I give to them and the lawful issue of their body forever. In the following manner it is my will and desire, not mentioning particulars, for my dear wife, FRANCES, to have and enjoy the whole of my property that remains without any interruption whatsoever during her natural life, and at her death, to be equally divided between my children aforementioned to be for them and the lawful heirs of their body forever. That SUSANNAH WOODSON's children is to have a child's part divided between them and likewise FRANCES PATTERSON's children, a child's part divided between. I do constitute and appoint my wife, FRANCES, Executrix, and my son, CHARLES H. GILLIAM, Executor, to this my last will. In Testimony whereof, I, JAMES GILLIAM, have hereto set my hand and seal, this 11th day of February 1821.
| James Gilliam Seal |
The last will and Testament of James Gilliam, dec'd., was produced in open court for probate and __________ up on the same was proven in due form by the oaths of John M. Rice and William Bratton, subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion ordered to be recorded. Whereupon Frances Gilliam and Charles H. Gilliam, Executrix and Executor, named in said will qualified as such by taking the oath prescribed by law, and together with Richard Barksville and Thomas Meador, their securities, entered into and acknowledged this bond to the Governour in the penalty of Twelve Thousand Dollars conditioned as the law directs.