Second Family of Isaac Hurst, b. 1804

It no surprise to any active researcher to find data on allied families while researching our direct lines. So over the years we collect this data and one day we may reach out and do some research on that line. Such is the case with one of several Isaac Hursts in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Until this past week, I had not actively researched Isaac Hurst and his family. However, over the years I had collected data that shows that Isaac Hurst, was born in 1804 and died 30 September 1884. Isaac was twice married; his 1st wife was Henrietta “Ritta” Rivers and his 2nd wife was Sarah Ann “Sally . (LNU). His 1st marriage resulted in 8 children based on census data. His second marriage bore  what was thought to be two additional children; but, is actually one child, a daughter.  

Isaac Hurst and Henrietta Rivers had the following children:
i. Sarah Ann Hurst, born 10 Mar 1826; Samuel Boatwright.
ii. William Monroe Hurst, born 25 Dec 1828; married Mary E. Powell.
iii. Lauretta Hurst, born 1831; married George R. Boatwright.
iv. Isaac Hurst, born on 15 Jan 1837.
v. Nancy J. Hurst, born 20 May 1838; married William Alfred Davis.
vi. Phillip James Hurst, born 22 Jan 1840; married Mary Ann Gainey.
vii. Polly Hurst, born in 1841.
viii. Jacob Hurst, born in 1843.

Isaac Hurst and Sarah Ann had the following children:
i. Nora Hurst was born about 1868.
ii. Mary C. Hurst, born Jun 1870; married James W. Douglass.

The 1880 Chesterfield County Census is the last census in which Isaac Hurst appears. It shows Isaac, age 79, with his 2nd wife, Sally and their daughter - Nora Hurst.¹ 




This is a good start but lets take a look at my favorite record set – The County Probate Files.
In the Chesterfield County Probate files we find that Probate Folder #493 is for Isaac Hurst and it turns out to be quite interesting.²

The major surprise in this folder was Isaac Hurst Will and it’s contents. The will made no mention of his first family, no mention of his current wife and a legacy was only left to his daughter. His daughter, Nora, in the 1880 census turns out to be – Christain McNona Hurst, aka Nora. ³





Transcription of Isaac Hurst Will ⁴

State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
In the name of God Amen – I Isaac Hurst of the County and State aforesaid, being of sound mind, and memory and understanding, do make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last Will and testament in manner and form following – viz –
I give, devise and bequeath to my daughter Christian McNona Hurst, one tract or parcel of land, lying and being in said County of Chesterfield, on the waters of Deep creek, known as the Rainey place, containing one Hundred and fifteen acres more or lefs [less], bounded by lands of Samuel Sellers, Clement Griggs, Dr. McBride Estate land, the Pruit land and others, it being a tract of land purchased by me from Edward Mulloy, to her, her heirs, and afsigns forever – and also Two Cows and calves to her, her heirs and afsigns-
I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint David Douglafs Executor of this my last will and testament.
In witnefs whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty eight day of August Anno Domino one thousand eight hundred and seventy five -
Signed, Sealed, published & declared}
By the Testator as&for his last will &}               Isaac X(his mark) Hurst {seal}
Testament in our presence who at his}
request have witnesfed the same}
A. W. Davis
E. F. Mulloy
Hugh Craig

After, thoroughly researching this family it’s clear that Mary C. Hurst and Nora Hurst ARE NOT  two distinct individuals but is the only child born to Isaac Hurst and his second wife, Sarah Ann and that her given name is Christian McNona Hurst. The daughter who married James W. Douglass.

Rationale:
If there had been two daughters born, both would have been listed in the 1880 census.
Two, The Will only names one Child – Christian McNona Hurst. If there had been two children they would have been named in the WILL. Why the wife is not named is unknown. She passed away in April 1892.⁵

In subsequent Census James W. Douglass wife is listed as:
1900 – Manona Douglass ⁶
1910 – Mary C. Douglas ⁷
1920 – Mary C. M. Douglas ⁸





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[1] 1880 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #5, Page 321C; Line 11, Dwelling 186, Family 186, Household of Isaac HURST; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 29 August 2011); citing National Archive Microfilm T9, Roll 1225.
[2] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19388-17508-65?cc=1911928&wc=MPPB-C68:190567401,190561002,190567402,191054401 : accessed 05 Jun 2014), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > Cases 0470-0553A > image 499 of 1550.
[3] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Probate Files & Loose papers, Isaac HURST; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: viewed 1 June 1014); Probate File #493, Image 505.
1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 29 August 2011); Memorial page for Isaac Hurst; (1804 - Sep. 31, 1884); Find a Grave memorial # 43479105, Citing Hurst Family Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 29 August 2011); Memorial page for Sarah Ann Hurst; (25 January 1824–3 April 1892); Find a Grave memorial # 43479165, Citing Hurst Family Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[6] 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0020, Page: 2B/74(stamped); Line 71, Dwelling 34, Family 34, Household of James W DOUGLASS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 1 June 2014); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_1523.
[7] 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0036, Page 20A/123 (stamped); Line 30, Dwelling 346, Family 349, Household of James W DOUGLAS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 1 June 2014); citing National Archives Microfilm  T624_1455.
[8]  1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 39, Page: 5A/130 (stamped); Line 23, Dwelling 76, Family 81, Household of James W DOUGLAS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 1 June 2014); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.