A record of Dr. Edward J. Gillard's sawmill was found in the 1860 special census of Liberty County by W.T. Block of Nederland. According to the Census, the mill was steam powered and employed nine men and four women (monthly wage of $50 total) during the census year 1860. The mill (valued at $4,000) cut 500,000 feet of lumber valued at $10,000. Although Gillard had slaves, no records exist of them working at the mill.
The Gillard sawmill is shown on a Confederate map of Liberty drawn in 1861.
This mill is usually linked in discussion with that of R. O. W. McManus.