From the Abilene Reporter-News
 Abilene, Texas
 April 24, 1951

 The Road Runner
 By Hamilton Wright

   Sam H. Gilliland, 92, pioneer of Callahan and Coleman Counties, sends The Road Runner a copy of the will of his great-grandfather, John Gilliland. It was the first will recorded in Jefferson Territory of the United States, which later became the first county in Tennessee.

 *  *  *  *
   The original testament was located recently by Mr. Gilliland’s daughter, Mrs. [L]. F. Roebuck of Graham. It was made on March 24, 1795. The will itself was the first filed in Jefferson County, Tenn. It is recorded on Book 1, Page 1, of the Will Book. It was probated in May, 1795.

 *  *  *  *
   The testator received eight land grants in Tennessee from North Carolina. Six of these grants he paid for and the other two were given to him plus an island mentioned in the will.
   In the will one son of the testator’s is Eli Gilliland, the grandfather of Sam H. Gilliland. He was born in 1784, came to Texas in 1827, and settled in Angelina County.

 *  *  *  *
      In those days men found religion meant much to them. The preamble to the will of Mr. Gilliland read, in part: “In the name of God, amen. I, John Gilliland, of the County of Jefferson Territory of the U. S. south of the river Ohio, being sick and weak in body but of a sound mind and memory, and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is principally and first of all, I resign my soul into the hand of Almighty God who gave it to me. And my body I recommend to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting, but at the great day of Judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed, I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. My worldly estate I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.”

 *  *  *  *
   To his wife he bequeathed furniture, stock, and rentals; to his son Eli, 60 pounds out of a lease and “the island at the upper end of the premises”; to the son Robert, “all my wearing apparel over and above his equal proportion with the rest of the legatees”; and to the other children “his equal portion of lands.” To a grandson, John Welch, he left $100 to be expended in education “provided he lives with the family until of age.”
   The will was witnessed by three men.

 *  *  *  *
   Sam Gilliland, who now lives with a daughter at 1816 Garrett Ave., Dallas, never fails to attend the Taylor County Old Settlers’ Reunion at Buffalo Gap and the Callahan County Pioneers Reunion. He gets about unusually well for one his age, although his eyesight has been failing.

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2010