JOHN GILLIAM

John Gilliam enlisted in the 39th Kentucky Infantry on the 6th day of September, 1862. He mustered in on the 10th day of November and served throughout the war as a scout. He was instrumental in the success of the raid on Pound Gap and preserving the court records of the town of Gladeville (now Wise). His service records indicate he was present for duty May and June 1864. On the 9th of June, 1864 during the battle of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, he was permanently disabled when thrown from his horse, suffering from a strain of the back. He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 15, 1865. His discharge lists him as 44 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches high, fair complexion, blue eyes, dark hair and was a farmer from Scott County, Virginia. It appears he lied about his age (perhaps they were not taking men over 50 years of age at that time). His original application for invalid pension in 1878 lists him as 57 years of age, but on his last request for increase of pension in 1888, he is listed as 83 years of age.

He was born in 1804 in Russell County, Virginia, the son of Richard and Judith Gilliam. In 1825 he married Martha “Mattie” Elliot, daughter of William Elliot and Margaret Kincannon. Their children were William E., b. 1826, Lilburn H., b. 1827, Ira, b. 1830, Mahala L., b. 1833, Martin L., b. 1835, John Jr., b. 1838, Margaret, b. 1840, Rebecca, b. 1843, and Martha b. 1848. In 1842, John and Mattie moved to Glade Creek about two miles north of the town of Wise. A few years later they moved to Crane’s Nest Creek at the head of Turkey Branch. John Gilliam served Wise Co. as it’s first Overseer of the Poor, being selected for this job at the organization court the 28th day of July, 1856. His wife Mattie died from Smallpox in Louisa, Kentucky in December of 1864. Also dying in Louisa from smallpox were three sons; Martin L., the 7th day of September, 1862, William E., the 14th day of November, 1864, and Lilburn H., the 5th day of December, 1864. He married his second wife, Elizabeth Avent on the 30th day of October, 1865. She died on the 17th day of December, 1874. He married his third wife, Hester “Hettie” K. Wilson (Vance), the widow of Alexander Vance, on the 27th day of February, 1875. They lived at Crane’s Nest Creek until his death on the 27th day of September, 1888. He is buried in the Gilliam Cemetery. His wife Hettie died the 10th day of February, 1916.

John Gilliam: Co. B - Buried in the Gilliam Cemetery, Wise County, VA.

Born 1804 in Russell County, VA. Died September 27, 1888 Wise County,
VA.