Family Folklore~Separating Facts From Fiction!

My paternal line goes back to a Frederick Rivers, b. bef 1754 and died aft 1820, said to be the son of William Rivers and Temple Dempsey.

No document has been found in my 40 plus years of research that names the parents of Frederick Rivers or the name of his wife. 

Folklore is that William Rivers and Temple Dempsey were the parents of Frederick. This has not been proven. In fact not a single document has been produced for the era (pre-1800) by anyone with the name Temple Dempsey or Temple Rivers mentioned within the document.

In early 2000 this folklore gained some legs when someone published a note on the internet claiming that William Rivers baptism date of 30 November 1718 is recorded in Droxford, Hampshire, England and claimed that Temple Dempsey was from the nearby village of Bramshot, 20 miles away. It also stated that Temple Dempsey was born in 1720.

Most of the above data came from a LDS Church IGI Extraction.

There was a William RIVERS, christened 30 November 1718, Droxford, Hampshire
Father WILLIAM
( Source IGI, Extracted)
Siblings;
THOMAS, 23 November 1712
JOHN, 17 December 1709
WILLIAM, 27 December 1710 ( may have died and other William born c 1718)

But, there is no proof that he migrated to America and that he is the Father of Frederick Rivers.
As a result of all this misinformation I wrote the Hampshire Record Office asking for confirmations. Letter posted here:














The Hampshire Records Office replied that the only William Rivers marriage occurred on:

20 May 1730 William Rivers and Mary Dunce married by banns



At the time of this writing, no one has found a single document that supports the claim that William Rivers and Temple Dempsey are the parents of Frederick Rivers.

No one can prove who Frederick Rivers married. No documents has been found that names his wife.
There was a William Rivers that served in the Cherokee War under Col. George Gabriel Powell whose men were mainly from Cheraw and Georgetown Districts of old Craven County. But, there is no proof connecting this man to Frederick Rivers or the Rivers Family. 















The search continues to determine who Frederick Rivers married and who his parents were.  If you have source documents relative to the marriage and parentage of  Frederick Rivers I would love to see your data and discuss the issue with you.










________________
folk·lore; the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth.
1. synonyms:
mythology, lore, oral history, tradition, folk tradition;

1. 
   

Wordless Wednesday~Iverson Monroe Ellzey Family

Nancy Jane Brock wife of  Iverson Monroe Ellzey is my 3rd Cousin 3 times removed.




















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[1] Photo Courtesy of www.DeadFred.com

Amanuensis Monday~Anson County, NC Land Deed between Andrew W. Sellers & wife to Andrew J. Addams.

 
Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.


His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today’s subject is an Anson County, NC Land Deed between Andrew W. Sellers & wife to Andrew J. Addams.¹
<sub>.
I have said it before and will say it again – If you are not including Land Deeds in your Research process you are omitting a valuable resource. At the end of this deed I will summarize the genealogical data gleamed from this land deed.



Page 288
Andrew W. Sellers & wife to Andrew J. AddamsThis indenture made and entered into this the 11th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and seventy-seven between Andrew W. Sellers & wife Catherine C. Sellers of the State of North Carolina Anson County of the first part and Andrew J. Addams of the County of Chesterfield and the State of South Carolina of the second part  witnesseth, that for and in consideration of Three hundred & thirty five dollars to them in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged the said parties of the first part have this day bargained sold Conveyed and Confirmed and by these presents do hereby bargain sell convey& confirm unto the said partied of the second part his heirs and assigns a certain tract or parcel of land lying & being in the County of Anson and State of North Carolina on the waters of Jimmies Creek adjoining the dower lands of France Wallace, the lands of Oliver H. Campbell the lands of J. P. Ratliff’s Estate known as the Johnson land & others it being the lots of land allocated to A. Hamer and wife Martha Hamer & to Catherine Wallace heirs at law of the late Jesse Wallace dec’d—the first named being lot No. 1 in the division of said lands and lot No. 2 allocated to Catherine Wallace now Catherine Sellers the two containing Ninety Acres – forty five acres each by reference to the Report of the Commissioners appointed by the County Court of Anson County to lay off and allot said lands will fully show To have and to hold the said lands & premises to him the said Andrew J. Adams  his heirs Executors Administrators and assigns together with all and singular the waters ways minor minerals hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and we the said Andrew W. Sellers and wife Catherine C. Sellers do for ourselves our heirs executors and Admin’s  Covenant and agree to warrant and forever defend the right and tittle to the aforesaid lands and premises to the said Andrew J. Adams his heirs and assigns and free from any and all encumbrances whatsoever. In witness whereof we the said Andrew W.Sellers & wife Catherine C. Sellers have hereunto set out hands & seals the Eleventh day of December A. D. 1877.
Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of       A. W. Sellers
                                                                              C. P. Sellers

North Carolina}
Anson County} I, Thomas J. Hardison, a Justice of the Peace for Anson (page 289) County do hereby certify that on the 11th day of December 1877 personally came before me Andrew W. Sellers and Catherine C. Sellers his wife and acknowledged the execution of the foregoing Deed of Conveyance and the said Catherine C. Sellers being by me privately examined separate and apart from her said husband says that she signed the same freely,  voluntarily without fear or compulsion of her said husband or any other person and that she still assents thereto. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 11th Dec. 1877.                             Tho’s J. Hardison, J. P. {seal}

State of North Carolina}
Anson County} The foregoing certificate of Thomas J. Hardison a Justice of the Peace of Anson County is adjudged to be correct. Let the deed with the certificates be registered. Witness my hand and Seal of Office at Office in Wadesboro this the 15th day of December A. D. 1877.
                                               John C. McLauchlin, C. S. C.
January 11th day 1878 Then the foregoing Deed came into my hands and was duly registered.   
                                               P .J. Coppedge
                                               Register of Deeds

First, the land deed is between Andrew W. Sellers and his wife; so who is his wife?
The land deed says his wife is Catherine C or P. Sellers. But it also says that she is Catherine Wallace and that she is an heir of Jesse Wallace (her father).

“lot No. 2 allocated to Catherine Wallace now Catherine Sellers”
“lots of land allocated to A. Hamer and wife Martha Hamer and to Catherine Wallace heirs at law of the late Jesse Wallace”

This line also says that Catherine Wallace Sellers sister Martha married A. Hamer. 
Just for the record Catherine middle name is “Pinkney”. I don’t know where the “C” came from unless it was a misunderstanding. 

Martha Hamer and Catherine Sellers are half-sisters.

Andrew Washington Sellers is my Great Grand Uncle and Catherine, by marriage, is my Great Grand Aunt.

















____________________
[1] North Carolina, Deed Book: Deed Book 20, pages 288-289, Andrew W. Sellers & wife to Andrew J. Addams; Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.</sub>

In Equity~Leah Blakeney vs William Bullard

Transcription:

The State of South Carolina. ----
CHERAW DISTRICT.—In Equity.—Leah Blakeney vs Wm. Bullard and others. –Petition for the sale of the Real Estate of Wm. Blakeney, deceased.—It appearing that SARAH WEAVER, the daughter of Elizabeth Weaver, is entitled to a distributive share of the proceeds of the sale of the Real Estate of the said Wm. Blakeney, (deceased,) now in the hands of the Commissioners of this Court; and that the said Sarah Weaver has gone to parts unknown; It is ordered that the Commissioner of this Court do give notice by an advertisement in the newspapers, for the said Sarah Weaver to apply in person or by her attorney, for the said distributive share. A true copy from the Minutes of the Court, made in February Term, 1849. D. S. HARLLEE,
Com. Equity, Cheraw District
Cheraw, S.C. March 15

This is an exact transcription of the estate notice as it appeared in the Charleston Courier, Charleston, SC, April 5, 1849, page 3, column 2.


Leah Blakeney is Leah Shehorn wife of William Blakeney, Jr. deceased. Her husband William Blakeney, Jr. died about 1845. No exact date of death has been found; but, this Equity Notice was published in April 1849. 
 
 
 
___________________
[1]"In Equity--Leah Blakeney vs William Bullard," The Charleston Courier, Charleston, SC, March 28, 1849, page 3, column 2., Equity Notice, William Blakeney Estate.

Chesterfield County SC Estates~Estate Folder #353–Miles P. Thurman

Today’s subject is the Estate of Miles P. Thurman.


Miles P. Thurman
Estate Folder #353
URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-NQ9J-8B?cc=1911928&wc=MPPR-PTP%3A190567401%2C190561002%2C190567402%2C190904401

Miles P. Thurman’s Estate Folder (#353) consists of 31 pages beginning at Image 551 of 1383  and ending with image 582 of 1383. It was an extensive Estate administrated by Andrew J. Eddins.  

Image 564 of 1383 shows that Andrew J. Eddins made application to the Courts for Letters of Administration on the estate of Miles P. Thurman on 24 April 1877.
 


Assigned to appraise the estate of Miles P. Thurman were A. W. Davis, T. F. Mulloy, George R. Boatwright and John H. Perkins. (Image 570)

Receiving a legacy from the estate in January 1878 were:

• Rose Ann Gainey
• Thetis Thurman
• Dorotha Eddins
• Elively A. Thurman
• J. H. Thurman
• W. H. Thurman
• A. J. Eddins

The estate was settled and Letters Dismissory issued by Rolin Kite, Judge of Probate  on 13 February 1882.

Sadly, Miles P. Thurman took his own life and left a note to that effect. I have a copy of the note but will not post it. It has been published before and anyone interested can find the publication in which the note appeared. 

Miles P. Thurman served honorably in the Civil War. Those of us here today have no knowledge of what he experienced in his short 46 years here among his friend and families. But, I believe he was most likely suffering from what we know today to be – PTSD -  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
He was a friend to many as evidence by the number of men and women who owed money to his estate.








 
______________
[1] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-NQ9J-8B?cc=1911928&wc=MPPR-PTP%3A190567401%2C190561002%2C190567402%2C190904401 : 21 May 2014), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > image 551 of 1383; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.

Treasure Chest Thursday~Bill of Complaint to Partition the Lands of Squire H. Brock

Transcription:

G. J. Redfearn} To
Samuel W Brock} Deed
The State of South Carolina
To all to whom these Presents shall come are be made known I, G. J. Redfearn Clerk of Court of the County of Chesterfield in the said state. Send greeting:
Whereas Samuel W. Brock on or about the 5th day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven [1897] did exhibit his Complaint in the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Chesterfield and State aforesaid against James A. Brock et al praying that the real estate of Squire H. Brock deceased be sold for Partition.
And the cause, being at issue before the Honorable the court aforesaid came on to be heard on the 80th <sic> day of June one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven [1897] when the said Court after a full hearing thereof, and mature deliberation in the premises Did order, adjudge and Decree that the lands hereinafter mentioned and described should be sold at public auction by G. J. Redfearn Clerk of Chesterfield County on the terms and for the purpose mentioned in said Decretal Order, as by reference thereto, on file in the Said Court, will appear: And the said G. J. Redfearn Clerk after having duly advertised the said lands for sale by public outcry, on the 1st day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven [1897] Did then, openly and publicly and according to the custom of action, sell and dispose of the said premises below described unto Samuel W. Brock for $51 and 50/100 Dollars he being at that price the highest bidder for the same.
Now Know All Men, That I, the said G. J. Redfearn Clerk of Court in consideration of the premises, and also in consideration of the sum of Two Dollars paid me by the said Samuel W. Brock the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, Have granted, bargained, sold and release and by these Presents Do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said Samuel W. Brock and his Heirs and assigns.
All that certain piece, parcel or tract of land in the County of Chesterfield in the State of South Carolina lying on the south side of Westfield Creek and West side of Wolf branch beginning at a stake on Samuel Parker's and W. M. Brock’s line running S. 29 E. 41.70 forty chains seventy links to stake in Meadows branch N. 13 1/4 E. two (2) chains and 64 links to stake, thence N. 35 W. 10 chains to poplar thence N. 55 W. 12 chains to stake, thence N. 14 E. 11 chains 30 links to stake thence S. 32 E. 22 chains 82 links to beginning_the same containing eight-five (85) acres more or less and for more full description see Deed from Squire H. Brock to John W. Brock and his bodily heirs bearing date 29 August 1885.
Together with all and singular the rights, members, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever, to the said premises belonging or in anywise appertaining, and the revisions and remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof; and also all the estate, rights, title, interest, dower, possession, property, benefit, claim and demand whatsoever, both at law and in equity of the said Jas. A. Brock et al and of all the parties to the said suit and of all other persons rightfully claiming or to claim the same, or any part thereof by, from, or under them or either of them.
To Have and to Hold the said premises with its hereditaments, privileges, and appurtenances unto the said Samuel W. Brock his Heirs and assigns forever.
In witness whereof, I, the said G. J. Redfearn Clerk of Court under and by virtue of the said Decree, have hereunto set my Hand and Seal at Chesterfield, S.C. this 24th day of October in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and ninety nine and in the one hundred and twenty third year of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.
Sealed and delivered}
in the presence of}                                         G. J. Redfearn {seal}
J. P. Mangum}                                                  Clerk of Court
R. E. Rivers}
The State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
Personally before me T. L. Huntley Judge of Probate, came J.P. Mangum and made oath that he saw the within named G. J. Redfearn Clerk sign, seal and as his act and deed deliver the within Deed and that he with R. E. Rivers witnessed the execution thereof
Sworn to before me this 21st}
day of November 1898}                                       J. P. Mangum
{seal} T. L. Huntley}
Judge of Probate
Recorded this 21st day of November 1898 in Books “C” page 291. Fee $.25
R. E. Rivers
Auditor, Chesterfield County, S. C.
Recorded 21 November 1898

Squire H. Brock is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.





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[1] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, DEED BOOK 15: pages 174-177, G. J. Redfearn To Samuel W Brock Deed; Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Wordless Wednesday~Noah Meeks and the Widow Nancy A. Rivers

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[1] Ancestry.com. Georgia, Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.

Amanuensis Monday~1866 Land Deed~Jas. Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.


His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.


Today’s subject is a 1866 Land Deed~Jas. Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin.¹

Back in 1976 when I first started my genealogical journey I found out that my 3rd Great Grandfather was married to a lady with the given name Mary and whose last name was unknown. At this point in my journey I had concentrated on Census and other readily available resources. My knowledge of these resources were very limited at this time.

There was no internet and networking was done by US Mail or telephone calls and of course there were no cell phones. However there were some “Car” phones. If you don’t know what a car phone is just google the phrase - car phone.

Mary was an obscure entity back in 1976 and remains an obscure entity today. Thanks to networking and an introduction to a genealogist who became a dear friend until her death I now know that Mary [LNU] is Mary Boan. My new found friend, Marie Gulledge Wiggins, sent me to the Chesterfield Courthouse to procure a copy of this Land Deed (Chesterfield County SC Deed Book 5, page 598-599 and also Deed Book 6, page 177).

Little did I know then, back in the 1970’s, this land deed would become the last known document to name most of the Shadrach and Mary Boan Johns family. No record of Mary, most of her children and Son-in-law has been found after the date of this deed, 3 Dec. 1866. 




Transcription:

Jas. Eddings & Others to W. T. Goodwin Deed
State of South Carolina
Know all men by these presents, that we, SHADRACH JOHNS and MARY JOHNS of the county of Washington and State of Florida, and JAMES EDDINGS, ANN EDDINGS, and REBECCA BONE of the District of Chesterfield, and State of South Carolina, have in consequence of ninety dollars to us in hand the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged paid by WILLIAM T. GOODWIN of the District of Chesterfield and State of South Carolina, have granted, bargained, sold, and released, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said WILLIAM T. GOODWIN all that parcel or tract of land, containing eight acres, more or less, being a part of a tract of land purchased by MARY BONE deceased of A. P. LaCOSTE deceased together with all and singular the rights, members, hereditaments, and appurtenances, to the said premises belonging or in anywise incident or appertaining; to have and to hold, all and singular the premises before mentioned unto the said WILLIAM T. GOODWIN, his heirs and assigns forever; and we do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, to warrant and forever defend, all and singular the said premises unto the said WILLIAM T. GOODWIN, his heirs and assigns, against ourselves and heirs, and all persons whatsoever lawfully claiming, or to claim the same or any part thereof Witness our hands and seals this the third day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and in the Ninety-First year of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.
Signed, Sealed and delivered                        Aner X Johns
in the presence of E. Rushing                       A. C. Toler
in the presence of R. C. Goodwin                James X Eddings
W. N. Eddings                                               Rebecca x Boan
F. T. Eddings                                                 Ann Eddings
                                                                     Wm T. Goodwin
                                                                     Alice Goodwin
                                                                     H. J. x Johns

U. S. stamps amounting to

Fifty Cents properly canceled

 
State of South Carolina
County of Chesterfield
Personally appeared R. C. GOODWIN who made oath that he was present and saw JAMES EDDINGS REBECCA BOAN ANN EDDINGS and ALICE GOODWIN sign seal and as their act and Deed delivered the within instrument of writing and that defendant with E. RUSHING attested the execution thereof.
                                                            R. C. GOODWIN
Sworn to before me this 11th}
day of Sept. A D 1879}
A. A. Pollock}
Notary Public}
 
State of South Carolina
County of Chesterfield
Personally appeared before me F. T. EDDINGS and being duly sworn says on oath that he saw the within named ANN JOHNS A.C. JOHNS and JOSEPH JOHNS sign seal and as their act and Deed delivered the within written Deed and that he with WILLIAM M. EDDINGS witnessed the execution thereof.
                                                                        F. T. EDDINGS
Sworn to before me this 11th}
day of Sept. AD 1879 }
A. A. Pollock }
Notary Public }
Recorded 12th Sept. 1879

Orig'l deliv'd to W. T. Goodwin

 

 

______________

[1] DEED: Chesterfield County South Carolina Land Deed between Jas. Eddings & Others recorded in Book 5, Pages 598-599.

Sunday's Obituary~Little Rosa Lee Davis

Transcription:

LITTLE ROSA LEE DAVIS

Rosa Lee, the two year old child of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Davis, of the Zoar community, died last Wednesday and was buried on Thursday at Zoar Church. She was an unusually bright child and had endeared herself to a large circle of friends.

Rosa Lee was the daughter Charles Lester Davis and Fannie Mae Boatwright. In 1916, she was next to the youngest of seven children ranging in age from infant to thirteen. 

The obituary above says Rosa Lee died last Wednesday and was buried on Thursday at Zoar. The last two Wednesdays in September 1916 are the 20 & 27th. Last Wednesday from the date of Article would be 28 August 1916. Yet the SC Death Certificate, shows she died on 21 September 1916.
Little Rosa Lee Death certificate shows that she died from Scarlet Fever..



Rosa Lee  Davis is my 2nd Cousin twice removed.

_________________
[1] Rosa Lee Davis obituary, The Chesterfield Advertiser, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, 5 October 1916, page 8, col. 1..
[2] The Chesterfield Advertiser, October 5, 1916, page 8, col. 1. SOURCE: James C. Pigg, "Obituaries from the Chesterfield Advertiser 1892-1926, Chesterfield County, SC" (Tega Cay, SC, Self-published, 2001).
[3] BIRTH-DEATH-BURIAL: SC Death certificate #40148 (Rose Ella Davis) as recorded in "Chesterfield County, South Carolina Death Certificates (Caucasian) 1915-1920", Page 22,  by James C. Pigg, self-published 1996.  Buried at Zoar Church, Chesterfield Co., SC. Cause of Death: Scarlet fever

It’s Family Time~The Joel S. Toler Family, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina

Alice Catherine Johns the wife of Joel S. Toler was born about 1844 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. At age 6, she was enumerated with her parents Shadrach and Mary Boan Johns on the 1850 Chesterfield County, SC Census.
By 1860, her parents had relocated to Russell County, Alabama where she and the family can be found in the 1860 Census.

In September 1869, Alice Catherine Johns married Joel S. Toler in Bullock County, Alabama. Russell and Bullock share a common county line as seen in the map section posted here:

We next find Alice Catherine (A. C.) Toler mention in two Chesterfield County Land Deed (DB 5: 598-599 and DB 6:177). These two land deeds show the families  (Johns/Toler family) living in Washington County, Florida.

Shadrach and Mary Boan Johns named on first line.

Anna Johns, A. C. [Alice Catherine] Toler and H. J. Johns shown as signatures on the deed.

Joel and Alice Catherine Johns Toler had two Children:

• Mary Toler, b. 2 June 1871; d. 12 May 1955, Marlboro County, SC.
• William Shadrac Toler, b.  5 Apr 1974; d.  19 June 1955, Chesterfield Co., SC

Information on the family is almost none existence after September 1866.  And it wasn't until I found the two children above living with their Grandfather Shadrach, age 80, and Uncle Joseph Henry in the 1880 census that I realized the enormity of some calamity that happen to family sometime before 1880.

Shadrach before returning to Marlboro County where is is enumerated in 1880 lost the following members of his family:

• His wife – Mary Boan Johns, b. 1815
• His daughter Alice Catherine Johns Toler, b. 1844
• His son-in-law Joel S. Toler, age unknown
• His son Thomas H. Johns, b. 1847
• His daughter Anna W. Johns, b. 1854

No information has been found to document what happen to these family members. Shadrach, Joseph Henry, Mary Toler and William Shadrac Toler survived and returned to Marlboro County.

No known death date has been found for Shadrach Johns. His two grandchildren lived a long life both dying within a few weeks of each other in May and June 1955.


Alice Catherine Johns Toler is my Great Grand Aunt.










___________________________
1. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 109A, Line 11, Dwelling 161, Family/161, Household of Shadrach JOHN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
2. 1860 U. S. Census, Russell County, Alabama, population schedule, Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 893, Line 7, dwelling 238, family 227, Household of Shadrick Johns; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_22.
3. Land Deed - S. Johns & Others to Alice Goodwin Deed; 3 December 1866; Deed Book #6; Page(s) 177; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC; 1999.
4. Bullock County, Alabama, Alabama, County Marriages, 1809-1950, , Marriage of Joel S. Toler & Alice Catherine Johns, 30 September 1869; image, Latter Day Saints, Family Search (http://www.FamilySearch.com : viewed, download 23 May 2014).
5. Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 29 May 2014), entry for J. S. Toler, Private; Company A, Alabama 29th Infantry Regiment.; Confederate.

Chesterfield County SC~Estate Folder #546 – Sarah Sellers

 

This is a new series of posting of selected Estate Folders from the Estate files of Chesterfield County. No known estates exist for the period before the Civil War. They were destroyed with the burning of the Courthouse. There are a few “Equity Records” in the State Archives. Do not overlooked this valuable resource if you are looking for ancestors in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Today we will be looking at the following Estate folder:
Folder #546, Sarah Sellers

The estate folder begins at image 1275 of 1550. There are 24 images within the estate folder. (images 1275-1299) ¹

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-NHRH-N?cc=1911928&wc=MPPB-C68%3A190567401%2C190561002%2C190567402%2C191054401

The Probate folder for Sarah Sellers indicates she died about 1878 and that still in early May 1880 no-one had applied for or had been granted Letters of Administration on her estate.

On 8 May 1880, Andrew Jackson Smith applied for Letters of Administration on the said estate.


Transcription:

State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}
To the Honorable W. J. Hanna Judge of Probate for Chesterfield County:
The petition of Andrew J. Smith by Hough & Kennedy his attorneys respectively shows to this Court”
1. That Sarah Sellers of the county and state aforesaid died intestate on or about the ___ day of ______ 1878.
2. That she died possessed of a small personal Estate in the county and State afore mentioned.
3. That there has been no application for Letters of Administration upon her estate by any of the next of kin as your p or any other person as your petitioner is informed and believes, though such application might have long since been made.
Wherefore your petitioner prays that you do grant to him Letters of administration upon the Estate of Sarah Sellers deceased and for such other relief as may be necessary.
Hough & Kennedy
Petitioner’s Attorneys

Sarah had a very small estate amounting to a value of  $120.78 (Image 1280).  The 3 appraisers of the estate were paid $1.00 each. The appraisers were: C. L. Vick, D. M. Barentine and T. P. Craig.

An interesting document within the estate was this judgment to the estate of Sarah Sellers.















Wm. B. Smith} Confession
Vs } Dated 17 Jany 1868
Sarah Sellers} Amt. $50.00
                        Cost 3.00
Rec’d Feby 25^th 1888 of A. J., Smith Adm. estate Sarah Sellers four 28/100 dollars on amount above stated Judgement.
Witness                                                                    A. X her mark E. Smith
W. J. Hanna                                                             Assignee of Wm. B. Smith.

NOTE: A. E. Smith, Assignee is Abigail Elizabeth Crawley wife of William B. Smith.

If you have any information on Sarah Sellers please contact me by e-mail.




___________________
[1] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-NHRH-N?cc=1911928&wc=MPPB-C68%3A190567401%2C190561002%2C190567402%2C191054401 : 21 May 2014), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > image 1275 of 1550; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.

Treasure Chest Thursday~A Marriage Kept Secret

Married Nov. 11^th Announced Dec. 18.

Once more a woman has demonstrated that she can keep a secret. On the 11th of November rumor had it that a secret wedding had been performed but the names of the contracting parties could not be learned. Instead of dying, as rumors have a way of doing, this one persisted with wonderful vitality, so it happened that for more than a month all of Chesterfield has been asking, “Were they married? Who was married? And where, when and how?”
In spite of this all-consuming interest nothing could be learned of the identity of the couple, save that they were popular and belonged to the best of families.
And so it happened that the secret was kept until the Sphynx like silence was broken by Sheriff D. P. Douglass, who announced on Wednesday (Dec. 15^th) that the contracting parties were Miss Zuline Ellis, of Hartsville, and Mr. Carey H. Davis, a Chesterfield boy.
Miss Ellis has been a frequent visitor to Chesterfield and is a general favorite among the young people here. She is the daughter of Mr. J. T. Ellis, of Hartsville.
Mr. Cary H. Davis is a young farmer living near town and is well known and highly respected in the community.
It was during one of those happy days at Chesterfield’s big fair that the couple decided to fare through life together. Then strange to say the Sheriff was called to one side and his car carried the happy couple not to jail but to the office of Judge M. J. Hough who bound them for life in the service of one another. [Article original printed in the Chesterfield Advertiser, 16 December 1915, Front Page, Column 1.]

Carey H. Davis, b. 11 June 1888, was a son of  Lewis Boatwright Davis and Barzilla Freeman.

Carey H. Davis, is my 2nd Cousin twice removed.




_____________________________
[1]  Article original printed in the Chesterfield Advertiser, 16 December 1915, Front Page, Column 1.

Wordless Wednesday~John Harvey Rivers

John Harvey Rivers

(25 Jan 1841-16 June 1925) 

Photo Courtesy T. Sharp

Photo Courtesy of  The War Between the States Museum

John Harvey Rivers is my 1st Cousin 5 times removed. 

Sheriff's Sale~Phillip Sellers

The exact date that Phillip Sellers died has not been found; but, we know from this Sheriff’s Sale that his estate lands were sold before the Court House on the 1st Monday in February, 1837.  

Phillip is a very common name in the Sellers lineage so my next duty was to determine which Phillip Sellers we are referring to within this news article.

The logical conclusion is that the notice refers to Phillip Sellers, Sr., son of Hardy Sellers and Mary Cook. Phillip married a young lady named Mary [LNU].  We know this from an Anson County Land Deed (DB “M”, pg 214).


Transcription:
Sheriff’s Sale
By order of Turner Bryan, Ordinary of Chesterfield district, will be sold, before the Court House on the first Monday in February next, within the legal hours, two-thirds of the real estate of Phillip Sellers, deceased, lying on both sides of Thompson’s creek, Containing one hundred and seventy-five acres more or less, adjoining the land of Peter May, James Sinclair and others.
Terms—As much cash as will pay the expenses of the sale, will be required on the day of sale; the balance, on a credit until the first day of January next; purchasers will give a note and good security, with interest from the day of sale, and a mortgage on the premises to the Ordinary, if required, to secure the payment of the purchase money. Purchases will pay for Sheriff’s Titles.
                                                     ALFRED M. LOWERY,
                                                                 Sheriff,   C. D.
Sheriff’s Office, Jun. 9, 1837 
 
Phillip Sellers, Sr. is my 4th Great Grand Father.




_____________
[1] "Sheriff’s Sale-Real Estate of Phillip Sellers," The Cheraw Gazette, Cheraw, SC, January 17, 1837, page 248,, Image/Page 2, Column 6. Chronicling America

Mystery Monday~How is Elizabeth Boan an Heir at Law to Charles Lisenby?

Charles Lisonby, born 5 Jan 1760, first appeared in Anson County, North Carolina in May 1778 when he purchased from Lewis Lowery 322 acres of Land. (Deed Book “7”, page 76-77). 

He applied for and received 2 Land Grants in  September 1785.  Each of these grants were for 150 Acres of Land in Anson County.






On 11 April 1785, Charles Lisenby and his wife Elizabeth L. Lizenby sold land on Jones Creek to Benjamin Buckannon, DB “B2”, page 17-18. This is the only Land Deed I  have found where Charles sold any land he owned. 

In January 1799, Benjamin Duckworth is selling one of these patents of 150 acres to Alex. McRea.
“…the whole one hundred and fifty acres as appears by patent granted to Charles Lisenby bearing date ________ with all woods underwood’s timber trees and water courses thereunto…”
[ Anson County Deed Book (DB “F”, page 152-153).] 

At some point between September 1885 and January 1799, Charles Lisenby sold this parcel of land to Benjamin or some other resident where it was then purchased by Benjamin Buckannon. 

Then sometime before May 1837, Charles Lisenby passed away resulting in the 3 foregoing news articles.



Chesterfield District
Elizabeth Boan, vs. William Parrish and Celeeta his wife.
It appearing to my satisfaction, that William Parish and Celeeta his wife reside without this state; it is therefore ordered that they all appear and object to the division on sale of the real Estate of Charles Lisenbee deceased on or before the third Monday in July next, or there <sic> consent to the same will be entered of record.
                                                                                         TURNER BRYAN, O.C.D.
May 22,1937   29-8
[The Cheraw Gazette. May 31, 1837, Page 223, Image 3, Column 6.]


Sheriff's Sales.
BY order of the Court of Ordinary of Chesterfield District, will be sold before the Court House, within the legal hours, on the first
Monday in September next, all the real estate of Charles Lisenby, dec'd. situate in the said District, on Jemmey's Creek, bounded by Jemmey's and Little creeks, and the lands of Wm. Privett, Wm. Ganey, and Archibald McQuage, containing seventy acres more or less.
Terms.-- A credit of one year, except so much as will pay the expenses of the sale, which will be required on the day of sale. Purchasers will give to the Ordinary, Bond and good security with interest from the day of Sale and a mortgage on the premises if necessary to secure the purchase money.
Purchasers will pay for Sheriffs Titles.
                                                         A. M. LOWRY, Sh'ff. C. D.
Shffs. Office, }
1st Aug. 1837. }                                               39-3t.
[The Cheraw Gazette. August 09, 1837, Page 155, Image 3, column 2.]


SOUTH CAROLINA} In the Court
Chesterfield District. } of Ordinary
To Neill McNeill Administrator of Charles Lisenby deceased, Wm. D. McRae, Archibald McQuaig and Thomas Parker securities of the said McNeill, on his Administration Bond.
Whereas application hath been made to me Elizabeth Boan Heir at law of Charles Lisenby deceased to require you and the said Neill McNeill Administrator as aforesaid (who was absent, from and without the limits of this State) to appear before me in the Court of Ordinary, on a certain day and then and there  to account for the monies, goods, chattels, &c. of the said Charles Lisenby deceased: These are therefore to charge, command, and cite you the said Neill McNeill administrator of all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of Charles Lisenby, Wm. D. McRae, Archibald McQuaig and Thomas Parker deceased, to appear before me Turner Bryan Ordinary, in and for the District and sate aforesaid, in the Court of Ordinary, to be holden at Chesterfield Court House in the District and state aforesaid, on Tuesday the eleventh day of August next, and then and there to render in the said Court an account of all monies, goods, chattels, and personal estate of the said Charles Lisenby deceased; and then and there to come to and make a final settlement and adjustment of your accounts with the said Estate, as Administrator aforesaid. Herein fail not.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal, Chesterfield Court House, the Eighteenth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forth and in the Sixty fourth year of the Independence of the United States of America.   
                                                                Turner Bryan , L. S.
                                                                            O.C.D.
May 22, 1840     28  12t
Farmers' gazette, and Cheraw advertiser., June 17, 1840, Image 4, column 6

The impact of these three news articles is evident but they leave many unanswered questions. Such as:
Who was Elizabeth Boan? What is her relationship (Heir at law) to Charles Lisenby? Is she the daughter of Lewis Boan and Mary Killingsworth?
Who is William Parrish and Celeeta, his wife? Is Celeeta’s surname “Lisenby” or “Boan” or something unrelated?
Where did William Parrish and Celeeta migrate to when they left Chesterfield before May 1837?





__________________
1. Anson County Deed Book 7, pages 76-77
2. Anson County Deed Book DB “B2”, page 17-18.
3. The Cheraw Gazette. May 31, 1837, Page 223, Image 3, Column 6.
4. The Cheraw Gazette. August 09, 1837, Page 155, Image 3, column 2.
5. Farmers' gazette, and Cheraw advertiser., June 17, 1840, Image 4, column 6

Sunday’s Obituary~Oliver Perry Rivers

Transcription:

Death of O. P. Rivers.

Writes for the Chronicle.
Oliver Perry Rivers, son of David and Catherine Rivers, born in Chesterfield county, S. C. sixty-two years ago departed this life on September 26th, 1912, at his home in East Point, GA. If an honest man is the noblest work of God, then this man was one of God’s noblemen.  He was one of the first farmers in Chesterfield county to produce unusually large yields on his lands. He moved to Georgia and there married Miss Sallie Gailey, who with their child, Miss Mae Rivers,survives him. Mrs. O. P. Rivers, being an invalid. Of his brothers and sisters, four brothers, Hugh, of Atlanta, Ga., James C. of Birmingham, Ala., Adolphus, of Midland, Texas, Richard L. of Orange Hill, Chesterfield county and sisters, Mrs. Joseph Lowery, of Wingate, N.C. Misses Bessie and Sadie Rivers of Mt. Croghan, S.C. and Mrs. Samuel Boatwright, of Ruby, S.C. of these brothers, one--Hugh--served two years in the war between the States.  He leaves an enviable reputation as a loving father,a kind husband, a patriotic citizen and a real Christian.

Oliver Perry Rivers was born in May 1850 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, a son of David T. Rivers and Katherine Eugenia Edgeworth.

He married Sarah M. ‘Sallie’ Gailey on 18 Jan 1883 in Cherke, Cherokee County, Georgia. Sallie was the daughter of D. J. Gailey and Eliza Guthrie.

To this union was born one child, a daughter: Maude Mae Rivers, born May 1884 in Fulton County, Georgia.



__________________
1. "DEATH of O. P. Rivers.," Obituary, [The Cheraw Chronicle, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC, 3 October 1912, Page/Image 5, col. 5. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/.
2. 1900 U. S. Census, Fulton County, Georgia, population schedule, East Point, Fulton County, Georgia, enumeration district (ED) #36, Page 186B; Line 92, Dwelling 261, Family 288, Household of Oliver F. RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 10 September 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T623_0198.
3. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, page 114, dwelling 284, family 284, Household of David [T.} Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.
4. 1870 U. S. Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, page 305A, dwelling 344, family 344, Household of David [T.] Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M593_1491.
5. 1880 U. S. Census,  Cleveland County, North Carolina, population schedule, Rippys, Cleveland County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #67, Page: 488D; Line 23, Dwelling NL, Family 104, Oliver RIVERS; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 September 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 0958.
6. 1910 U. S. Census, Fulton County, Georgia, population schedule, East Point, Fulton County, Georgia, enumeration district (ED) #0127, Page 135B; Line 83, Dwelling 124, Family 140, Household of Oliver P. RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 10 September 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T624_0192.
7. State of Georgia, death certificate no. 8463-I (20 April 1927), Mrs. Sarah M. Rivers; Office of Vital Records, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, USA.
8. 1920 U. S. Census, Fulton County, Georgia, population schedule, Atlanta Ward 10, Fulton County, Georgia, enumeration district (ED) #146, Page 240A; Line 46, Dwelling 103, Family 122, Household of Sarah M. RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 10 September 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T625_250.
9. 1930 U. S. Census, Fulton County, Georgia, population schedule, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, enumeration district (ED) #130, Page 130A; Line 19, Dwelling 154, Family 219, Mae RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 September 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T626_364.

Land Deed~Annie Gathings and Mary Lear to Eli Rivers

This land deed became a major challenge to identify the parties involved and their relationship to each others.

• Annie Gathings is Anne Haynie, daughter of Henry Haynie and his wife Sarah; Ann is the wife of Graham Gathings
• Mary Lear is Mary Haynie, daughter of Henry Haynie and his wife Sarah; Mary is the wife of Alexander Lear. 
• Eli Rivers is believed to be Elijah Rivers; his parents are unknown. I have only found him listed in the 1860 Census and this land deed.

1860 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina; Roll: M653_1217; Image 277; Family History Library Film: 805217; Page 137B(stamped), Line 12, Dwelling #616, Family 615, Elijah RIVERS, Male, age 66, Wheelwright, born in SC; Jno. RIVERS, male, age 17, born in SC and Daniel RIVERS, male, age 13, born in SC.

• J. H. Gathings is James H. Gathings, son of Grahm Gathings and Ann Haynie.
• S. Meyers belied to be Shepherd Myers, husband of Clarisa Jane Teal.

Anson County, NC
Book 22, Page 408
Annie Gathings & Mary Lear to Eli Rivers
This indenture made and entered into this the 27^th day of January one Thousand Eight hundred and Eighty One between Annie Gathings and Mary Lear of the state of North Carolina and County of Anson of the first part and Eli Rivers of the State of South Carolina and County of Chesterfield of the second part. Witnesseth: that the parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Sixty dollars in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has bargained, sold, and conveyed, and by these presents doth bargain, sell and convey unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever their individual interest in and to a certain tract or parcel of land lying on the waters of Thompson Creek in the county of Chesterfield and state of South Carolina, adjoining the lands of W. A. Thurman, Isaac Hurst & Others, containing Eighty Eight acres, more or less, and known as the Estate lands of Harvey Haynie, our part and interest being one third of said Eighty Eight acres--to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land to the said parties of the second part, his heirs & assigns forever. And the said parties of the first part doth hereby covenant to warrant and defend the aforesaid land to sd party of the second part his heirs & assigns forever. In witness whereof we hereunto set our hands and seal.
                                                           Annie Gathings
                                                           Mary Lear
Signed in the presence of}
S. Myers
J. N. Gathings
 
State of North Carolina}
Anson County} I, John C. McLancklin, Clerk of Superior Court, for the said county of Anson hereby certify that the due execution of the foregoing deed of conveyance by Annie Gathings and Mary Lear, was proven before me this day by the on hand examination of S. Meyers, a subscribing witness thereto. Let the deed of conveyance with this certificate be registered. This the 9^th day of April, A.D. 1883.
John C. McLancklin
Clerk of Superior Court
April 10^th, 1883. Then the foregoing Deed and Certificate came into my hands and was duly registered.
P.J. Coppedge
Register of Deeds


__________________
[1] North Carolina, Deed Book: Deed Book 22, page 408, Annie Gathings & Mary Lear to Eli Rivers; Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.