This is a program on NPR about the Gilliam Cemetery of Sevastopol, Sonoma County, California. In 1852, my 3rd great-granduncle and his wife, Mary Gilliam, buried their still born child there to start the cemetery. Isaac Sullivan was a wagon train drover and explorer.
His parents were James Sullivan and Eleanor Wilson. James was a Revolutionary War veteran and Methodist circuit rider in Kentucky and Tennessee. Served in 1st VA State Rgmt., Rev War. In Yellow Springs Hospital at Valley Forge, 4 Apr 1778. He was Ordained by Bishop Asberry in Knoxville, TN in 1793. School teacher at Carrol School on Cumberland River and Clear Fork Creek.
[Whitley Co., KY, Will Bk 1, p25, made 9 Feb 1817 or 18? Nuncupative will on deathbed. recorded July 20,1818, Book 1 Page 25. See, History and Families, Whitley Co., KY, 1818-1993, page 325.]
Isaac appears in the 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses of Annaly, Sonoma Co., California. He has not been found in 1850. They had the following children:
- J W Sullivan 53 KY
- Mary Sullivan 26 MO
- James M Sullivan 7 CA
- John W Sullivan 5 CA
- Cornelius G Sullivan 4 CA
- Minerva A Sullivan 2 CA
- Nancy A Sullivan 1 CA
The following children first appeared in the 1870 census:
- Sophrona C Sullivan 9
- Charles C Sullivan 7
- Letha Sullivan 5
- Asa I Sullivan 3
- Amanda J Sullivan 4/12
In 1880 a last son shows up:
- Jabez B. Sullivan 7
James and Isaac Sullivan were descendants of Peter Sullivan or O'Sullivan and Emma Craven of Northumberland, Virginia. See these wills:
- Will of Peter Sullivan, Northumberland Co., VA, Record Book 1743- 49, pp 227a-228. Will dated 15 April 1746, proved 10 Aug 1747.
- Will of Charles Swillivan of Wiccocomoco Parish, Northumberland Co., Virginia, will made 19 March 1767, will proved 11 May 1767, Record Book 7, p. 77. Abstract printed in Lewis, Wills and Administrations of Northumberland Co., VA, vol.1, p. 132.
For more information of Col. Isaac Sullivan and Mary Gilliam and their descendants, see, The Patriarch of the Valley: Col Isaac Wilson Sullivan by Emma A. Street-Hively.
