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Saturday, October 29, 2022

The Rev. Charles Betts Family

Charles Betts was born abt 1800 in Brunswick, North Carolina. At age 16, he
experienced conversion into the Methodist faith becoming a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

In 1818, he entered the traveling ministry while attending a General Conference in Augusta, Georgia.

He rapidly became a prominent figure at the General Conferences.

At age 33, he married Ann Davis Godfrey, my 2nd Cousin 5 times removed. Ann Davis Godfrey was born 1802, a daughter of Maj. Richard Godfrey and Rachel Davis.

To this union were born three known children; two daughters and a son. Sadly, the son died at an early age most likely before 1860 since he only appears in the 1850 Census for St. Michael and St Phillip, Charleston, South Carolina.

Harry Alexander Davis in his book “The Davis family (Davies and David) in Wales and America: Genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania – January 1, 1927 had this to say about Ann Davis Godfrey.

“Ann Davis Godfrey: b 6 Apr. 1802, m Rev. Charles Betts, she died 1839-40; left 2 daughters”

We now know she did not pass away in 1839-1840 because she is with her husband and 3 children in the 1850 Census for Charleston County, SC.

But, when the 1860 CENSUS were enumerated we find that Ann Davis (Godfrey) Betts has passed away and the Rev. Charles Betts has remarried. His second was Esther Ann Gibson. No actual marriage notice or certificate has been found for either of his two marriages.

His first wife Ann Davis Godfrey died sometime after 1850 Census was enumerated  and his 2nd marriage took place sometime before 1860 Census enumeration. 

Rev. Charles Betts died on 16 April 1872 at the home of his son-in-law Dr. Edward Brown Smith, husband of his daughter, Martha Gibson Betts in Marion County, South Carolina.

Rev'd Charles Betts
Death Year: 1872
Publication Place: Columbia, Richland, South Carolina, USA
Comments: Rev'd Charles Betts, an old and distinguished Minister of the Methodist Church South, died suddenly at the residence of his son in law near Marion So. Ca. on Tuesday night April 16, 1872.

Esther Ann Gibson(?) second wife of Rev. Charles Betts passed away sometime after the 1880 Census enumeration on 3 June 1880. 

The tombstone of Rev. Charles Betts can be found in the Old Town Cemetery, Marion, Marion County, South Carolina. No tombstones has been found for either spouse. 

Ann Davis Godfrey Betts is my 2nd Cousin 5X Removed.

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 1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 24 October 2022); Memorial page for Rev. Charles Betts; (14 February 1800–16 April 1872); Find a Grave memorial # 76606983, Citing Old Town Cemetery; Marion, Marion County, South Carolina, USA. 
 2. 1850 U. S. Census, Charleston County, South Carolina, population schedule, St. Michael and St Phillip, Charleston, South Carolina, Page# 299B (Stamped), Line#6, Dwelling#100, Family#100, Household of Charles BETTS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 24 October 2922); citing National Archives Microfilm M432. 
 3. 1860 U. S. Census, Georgetown County, South Carolina, population schedule, Lower All Saints Parish Division 3, Georgetown, South Carolina, Page#77/321B(Stamped), Line#21, Dwelling#739; Family #794, Household of Charles BITTS [BETTS]; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 24 October 2022); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_. 
 4. 1870 U. S. Census, Georgetown County, South Carolina, population schedule, Waccamaw, Georgetown, South Carolina, Page#428B (Stamped); Line#38, Dwelling#1352, Family#1505, Household of Charles BETTS; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 24 October 2022); citing National Archive Microfilm M593. 
 5. "THE REV. CHARLES BETTS," Tribute, The Charleston Daily News, Charleston, South Carolina, 6 May 1872, Page 1, column 5; Digital On-Line Archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/ : viewed 24 October 2022); https://www.newspapers.com/. 
 6. 1880 U. S. Census, Georgetown County, South Carolina, population schedule, Waccamaw, Georgetown, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 056, Page 446B(Stamped); Line#7, Dwelling#54, Family#55; Household of Esther BETTS; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 24 October 2022); citing National Archive Microfilm T9.

3 comments:

  1. This is an interesting story about Charles Betts. I don't know anything about a "traveling ministry." I wonder how far he traveled and how his family held up during those travels.

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    1. https://archive.org/details/minutesofsouthca00meth_11/page/22/mode/2up?q=betts

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