Will of Richard C. Gilliam, dated January 18, 1855.  

Submitted for use in the USGenWeb Project Archives by: Harry Gilliam <hegilliam@sprynet.com>

I have a photostat (remember those?) copy that belonged to my mother and 
father.  No one knows where the original is.  It is quite legible except for 
questionable words shown in [brackets] the text below.  I have reproduced all the 
spelling, capitalization, punctuation, etc.

I Richard C. Gilliam of the County of Buckingham and State of Va. do make this my last 
will and testament in manner and form following.  To wit.

I direct that my executors hereinafter named shall pay all my just debts from the proceeds 
of my estate as soon after my death as convenient.  Item 1st.  I give to my beloved wife 
Mary Gilliam my home tract of land on which I now live and the following named 
negros, Isaac, Ben, Milly, Delbert, & Jinny; all my household & kitchen furniture, one 
Barouch [?], one ox cart, and as much of my stock of all kinds, and plantation Tools as 
she may deem sufficient for her during her natural life.

Item 2nd.  I give to my son Isham R. Gilliam my tract of land on DuckersCreek containing 
above three hundred acres and one negro Boy Stephen, and my smith’s Tools & one 
thousand dollars which I have advanced to him, nevertheless (he is to pay back back into 
my estate three hundred dollars at the last division of my estate) the balance to have & to 
hold to him and his heirs forever.

Item 3rd.  I give to my daughter Adline one negro woman Caroline and one thousand 
dollars which I have advanced to her, and eighteen hundred dollars to be paid out of my 
estate, or to my other children.

Item 4th.  I will that all property heretofore advanced by me to my sons John C. Gilliam, 
Spencer Gilliam, Clayton Gilliam and my daughters Judith, Martha, Nancy, Mary, Sally, 
and Arelena [possibly spelled Ardena or Ardina or Arelina] be now confirmed to them 
forever.

Item 5th.  I will that all property belonging to my Estate and not otherwise disposed of be 
sold after my death and the money arising therefrom with all other moneys belonging to 
my Estate be collected by my Executors and that they then divide it between all my 
Daughters that may then be living and the children (the heirs of the Boddys) [I am almost 
certain that is what the word is] of those that are dead, the heirs to receive jointly the 
portion that their mother would be entitled to in the following manner, viz.  To my 
daughter Judith twenty one hundred dollars, and to the children of my daughter Martha to 
wit, William, Robert & Sally Ann Davis nineteen hundred dollars to be equally divided 
between them and to the children of Nancy Routon To wit.  Elizabeth D, [?] three 
hundred dollars, and to James, William, Robert Frederick [may have meant Robert, 
Frederick, but no comma is showing between them], Mary & Martha two hundred dollars 
each; and to Spencer Gilliam as Trustee for the benefit of Otway Hix, the son of my 
daughter Sally eighteen hundred which amount is to be paid to him when he arrives at the 
age of twenty one years, but should he die before he arrives to that age, then that sum to 
be equally divided between all my children, or their heirs, the heirs to receive jointly as 
before, and to the children of Mary McCraw, To wit. Richard M. & William E. [?], 
twenty one hundred dollars, to be equally divided between them and to Spencer Gilliam 
as Trustee for the benefit of my Daughter Ardena [here it looks more like Ardena] Hix 
twenty one hundred dollars But should she die without an heir (of her Boddy) then this 
sum shall be divided as above, to my children or their heirs, nevertheless should she have 
an heir {of her boddy) and she and the heir live twelve months thereafter, then the 
Trustee shall give her pofsefsion [possession] of her property to have and to hold to her 
and her heirs forever.

and I will to the children of my son John C. Gilliam To wit, Richard, Harriett & Ann 
Eliza nine hundred dollars to be equally divided between them.

should there not be money enough arising from the final sale of my property to pay those 
several amts. then each legatee shall receive proportionately.

I will that after the death of my wife, my home Tract of Land, negro slaves, and all other 
property left to her, together with any and all property belonging to my estate be sold by 
my Executors upon such time as they may deem best and after they shall have collected 
the money arising therefrom, they then pay over so much as will make the above amount 
to each legatee and should there then be a ballence [sic] that shall be equally divided 
between all my children or their heirs as before.

And lastly I nominate and appoint my sons Spencer Gilliam and Isham R. Gilliam my 
Executors to this my last will an [sic] testament, and request that they shall not be 
required to give Security.  In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed 
my seal this the 18th day of January one thousand eight hundred & fifty five 

signed sealed and delivered
In the presents [sic] of [undistinguishable initial] C. Gilliam [signature]

Tirt Ina. R. Gilliam [signature] [“Tirt” is undoubtedly something else; I may not have 
“Ina.” correct either.  This may be Isham.]

William Gills [signature]

Wyatt Smith [signature]

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