1821: John Flight Gillam born 6 Oct 1821 in Foregate Street, Saint Nicholas, Worcester. Father Robert Gillam, mother Mary nee Robins (England & Wales Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers)

1851 census 2 Whittington Cottage Worcestershire: John Flight Gillam, 28, Solicitor in Practice, Sophiah Henrietta, Wife, 24.

1853: <lt having been resolved upon that a tournament, as it is called, should take place among the members of the Worcester Chess Club, and sixteen gentlemen having enrolled themselves to enter the lists for the mimic fray, the following gentlemen were requested to make the necessary arrangements: — The two Vice Presidents, H. Carden and - Walsh, Esqrs.; Rev. J. Lister Isaac, J. S. Pakington, Esq., John Longmore, Esq., John Gillam, Esq., W. C. Cooksey, Esq., secretary.> (Worcestershire Chronicle 12 Oct 1853 p. 4)

1855: <Worcester Chess Club ... On Monday evening Mr. John Gillam was elected hon. secretary of the club in the room of Mr. W. C. Cooksey, resigned.> (Worcestershire Chronicle 17 Jan 1855 p. 4)

1856: <A very excellent portrait of J. F. Gillam, Esq., has just been painted Mr. F. Nicol, of this city, the likeness and the execution of the whole picture doing all credit to the artist. It has been subscribed for by the members of the Severn and Teme Angling Society, and the Worcester Chess Club, to both of which Mr. Gillam has for some years given his active and valuable assistance as secretary, and by his gratuitous services placed the members under much obligation. The presentation will take place early next month.> (Worcestershire Chronicle 20 Aug 1856 p. 2)

1858: <Worcester Chess Club. — On Monday evening there was a special meeting of the club at its usual place meeting — the Natural History Society's room, to take into consideration the resolution passed at the last general meeting of tbe Chess Association, held at Birmingbam, to the effect that the next annual meeting should take place at Worcester. There were present the two vice-presidents, Messrs. Carden and Longmore; the hon. secretary, Mr. John Gillam; > (Worcestershire Chronicle 10 Nov 1858 p. 2)

1861 census Claines Worcestershire: John F. Gillam, 39, Solicitor, Sophia Henrietta, Wife, 36, + 5 children.

1862: Present at the congress in London (where Blackburne had simul), < J. F. Gillam, Esq. (of Worcester)> (The Sun, 2 July 1862, p. 4)

1871 census Claines Worcestershire: John Flight Gillam, 49, Solicitor, Sophia Henrietta, Wife, 47, Lydia Mary 18, Agnes Sophia 17, Frances Georgina 16, Phoebe Maria 14, Catherine Susan 11, Laura Elizabeth 9, John Robert 8, Henrietta -- 6, Margaret Emily 5.

1873: Chess match between Worchester and Birmingham. J. F. Gillam - Thomas F Best 1-2. (Worcester Journal 7 June 1873 p. 4)

1881 census Leigh Worcestershire: John F. Gillam, 59, Retired Solicitor, Sophia H., Wife, 56