Robert B. Gilliam
Encyclopedia
Robert Ballard Gilliam was a North Carolina
politician and judge. He was born, lived and died in Granville County
. He was the son of Leslie Gilliam, the long-time sheriff of Granville.
R.B. Gilliam graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
in 1823, in the same class with future state Treasurer Daniel W. Courts, future Chief Justice Richmond M. Pearson, and others. He then began practicing law. Gilliam was also a member of the 1835 convention that thoroughly revised the North Carolina Constitution
.
Gilliam was elected to represent Granville County in the North Carolina House of Commons in 1836, 1838, 1840, 1846, 1848 and 1862. For much of his time in the House, he served as speaker of the house
. In 1863, he was elevated to the state superior court
bench.
In 1870, Gilliam was elected to the United States House of Representatives
in a special election (following the resignation of John T. Deweese
), but before he could take his seat, he died.
John H. Wheeler wrote of Gilliam, "As a statesman, he was a pure and patriotic; as a lawyer, he was learned and able, and his ability was only equalled by the kindly qualities of his heart. Such were the conspicuous traits of his character, which endeared him to all who knew him."
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
politician and judge. He was born, lived and died in Granville County
Granville County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 59,916 people in 20,628 households residing in the county. The population density was 111.6 people per square mile . There were 22,827 housing units at an average density of 42.5 per square mile...
. He was the son of Leslie Gilliam, the long-time sheriff of Granville.
R.B. Gilliam graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
in 1823, in the same class with future state Treasurer Daniel W. Courts, future Chief Justice Richmond M. Pearson, and others. He then began practicing law. Gilliam was also a member of the 1835 convention that thoroughly revised the North Carolina Constitution
North Carolina Constitution
The Constitution of the State of North Carolina governs the structure and function of the state government of North Carolina, United States; it is the highest legal document for the state and subjugates North Carolina law...
.
Gilliam was elected to represent Granville County in the North Carolina House of Commons in 1836, 1838, 1840, 1846, 1848 and 1862. For much of his time in the House, he served as speaker of the house
Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives
The Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives is the presiding officer of one of the houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The Speaker is elected by the members of the house when they convene for their regular session in January of each odd-numbered year...
. In 1863, he was elevated to the state superior court
Superior court
In common law systems, a superior court is a court of general competence which typically has unlimited jurisdiction with regard to civil and criminal legal cases...
bench.
In 1870, Gilliam was elected to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in a special election (following the resignation of John T. Deweese
John T. Deweese
John Thomas Deweese was a Congressional Representative from North Carolina.-Biography:Born in Van Buren, Arkansas, June 4, 1835; educated at home; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1856 and commenced practice in Henderson, Kentucky; resident of Denver, Colorado, for some years; moved to Pike...
), but before he could take his seat, he died.
John H. Wheeler wrote of Gilliam, "As a statesman, he was a pure and patriotic; as a lawyer, he was learned and able, and his ability was only equalled by the kindly qualities of his heart. Such were the conspicuous traits of his character, which endeared him to all who knew him."