1769-1845

Prominent anti-slavery figure

As a student at Dickinson College, Gilliland became convinced of the evils of slavery. He was forced to leave his first congregation in South Carolina for his strong anti-slavery stance. In 1805 he moved his family to Red Oak, OH where he served the Presbyterian Church until 1841. Brown County was known for its abolition sympathy, and the Red Oak Church spawned anti-slavery churches in nearby Ripley, Russellville, Decatur and Georgetown, OH.

Rev. Gilliland was among the anti-slavery leaders of the region. He worked closely with Ripley activists Rev. John Rankin, Alexander Campbell, John Parker, John Mahan, the Collins brothers, and Dr. Isaac Beck. He did more than preach against slavery, however. He and his family members actively sheltered and helped runaways escape.