Kate’s notes: This is the will of the Rev. James Gilliland, abolitionist and founder of the Red Oak Presbyterian congregation, about whom a number of records and documents may be found in the Gilliland Trails library
    No corrections or alterations in spelling, punctuation or the like have been made from the original document.

The Will of James Gilliland
Brown County, Ohio
1844-1845

Source: Ohio Probate Records
Brown County
Wills 1817-1851, Vol 1-2
The original image may be viewed at:  https://familysearch.org

James Gilliland’s Will – April Term 1845

Plead held at the court house in Georgetown, County of Brown 
and State of Ohio, before Owen T. Fishback President Judge
of the tenth Judicial circuit of the State of Ohio, Henry
Martin, Micah Woods & John Kay associate Judges of 
The court of common pleas in and for said county,
on the 17th day of April, of the term of April in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred &
forty-five – It being the sixty ninth year of the Independ
-ance of the United States of America – and of the State
of Ohio the forty third.

Brown County SS. Be it remembered that heretofore to wit on this 17th day of April, of the term of April, A. D. 1845. “The last will and testament of James Gilliland, late of this county deceased, was produced in open court, and proved by the oaths of Robert Gilliland and Henry Martin subscribing witnesses thereto – which will, together with the proof, was ordered to be recorded – and are in the words and figures following to Wit –
(Will) “I James Gilliland of the county of Brown, in the State of Ohio, do make and publish this my last Will and testament, in manner and form following, that is to say -. First – It is my will that my funeral expenses, and all my Just debts, be fully paid. Second – Such of my Books as may have the names of any of my children or Grand children written on the title page with my own hand, I will and bequeath to the person whose names they thus bear. And the remainder of my books and pamphlets I bequeath to my Executors to be disposed of at their discretion -. 3rd I give and devise to my two daughters Vashti and Jane Gilliland my farm on which I now reside, containing Seventy one acres and a half, and to their heirs and assigns forever, And I further give and bequeath to my two said daughters Vashti Gilliland and Jane Gilliland each one beauro one bedstead and two feather beds, and a sufficiency of bed clothes for each bed for the winter season, and such other articles of house hold or Kitchen furniture as my executors may be satisfied was claimed by them, and considered their own, before my decease.  4th The remainder of my estate I give and bequeath to my eight living children & my Grand daughter, Mary Jane Gilliland, to be equally divided among them after thereout of paying all my Just debts and for execution this my last Will and testament. And Lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my two sons, James Gilliland and John Gilliland, to be the Executors for this my last Will and testament – revoking and annulling all former Wills by me made, and ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and testament_. In testimony whereof  I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12th day of November 1844. James Gilliland {Seal} _. Signed published and declared by the above named James Gilliland as, and for, his last Will and Testament in presence of us who, at his request, have signed as Witnesses to the same. Henry Martin  Robert Gilliland.” _  (Proof) “State of Ohio Brown county SS. Personally came into open court Henry Martin and Robert Gilliland, Subscribing witnesses to the last Will and testament of James Gilliland Decd who, being duly sworn, say that they saw said James Gilliland sign the paper writing here produced as his last Will and testament; that he was, at the time, of sound and disposing mind memory and Judgment, over twenty one years of age and under no restraint whatever – And that they signed said will, as subscribing witnesses thereto, in the presence of said testator and at his request, and in the presence of each other.  Robert Gilliland  Henry Martin – Sworn to and subscribed in open court April 17th 1845.
John H. Blair Clerk” _.

Please do not publish this transcription elsewhere without credit to the transcriber, preferably with express permission of same. If used as a citation, please attribute to the following:
Transcriber: Kate Maynard, 2013
www.gillilandtrails.org