Person Page - 243

     George William Koon was born on 17 March 1802 in South Carolina.¹

George married Nancy ABNEY, daughter of James D. ABNEY and Tabitha Towles, in 1830 in Newberry, Newberry County, South Carolina.¹

George William Koon died on 11 July 1881 in Troup County, Georgia, at age 79.¹ He was buried in Glanton Cemetery, Troup County, Georgia.¹

     Samuel Eskridge Brown was born on 20 March 1792 in South Carolina.¹

Samuel married Sophronia ABNEY, daughter of James D. ABNEY and Tabitha Towles, circa 1825.¹

Samuel Eskridge Brown died on 8 March 1857 in Chambers County, Alabama, at age 64.¹

     William P. Allen was born circa 1794 in Virginia.

William married Sophronia ABNEY, daughter of James D. ABNEY and Tabitha Towles, on 12 July 1860 in Chambers County, Alabama. The service was performed by Rev. Evan G. Richards.¹

William P. Allen died on 17 May 1870 in Chambers County, Alabama.¹

     Matthew Benjamin Fuller was born in 1805 in Columbia County, Georgia.

Matthew married Susan ABNEY, daughter of James D. ABNEY and Tabitha Towles, on 1 January 1829 in Meriwether County, Georgia.¹

Matthew Benjamin Fuller died after 1880 in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas.

     Green B. Reed was born in October 1809 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

Green married Ann ABNEY, daughter of James D. ABNEY and Tabitha Towles, on 25 December 1836 in Meriwether County, Georgia.¹

Green saw military service between 1861 and 1865 in Alabama in Company A, 16th Alabama Infantry. He was captured and held prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio. He arrived there 4 Mar 1863 and was exchanged 28 Mar 1863.²

Green B. Reed died in 1863 in Tennessee.

     Mary Bryant was born in 1822 in North Carolina.

Mary married Rev. John ABNEY, son of James D. ABNEY and Tabitha Towles, circa 1850. She was the daughter of Reddick & Martha Bryant.

Mary Bryant and Rev. John ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 3 November 1850 in Rusk County, Texas. The household was listed as John Abney, a 28 year old M. E. Clergyman, born South Carolina, and inferred wife, Mary Abney, age 28, born North Carolina. Also in the household were Angeline Bryant, 25, and Rudolfphus Bryant, age 35, both born in North Carolina. They were likely siblings of Mary.¹

Mary Bryant and Rev. John ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 30 July 1860 in Meridian, Bosque County, Texas. The household was listed as John Abney, a 39 year old M. E. (Methodist Episcopal) preacher, born in South Carolina, and his inferred wife, Mary Abney, age 39, born in North Carolina. They had real estate valued $3000 and personal estate valued $8,555. Also in the household were Angelina Thomas, 50, born North Carolina, and Jane Williams, 10, born Texas. Angeline was probably Mary's sister.²

     Capt. Francis Marion ABNEY, son of Malchijah ABNEY and Isabella Culbraith, was born on 12 February 1819 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Francis saw military service between 1861 and 1865 in Louisiana as Capt. in company B, 28th (Gray's) Regiment Louisiana Infantry, CSA. He enlisted as first lieutenant, later promoted to captain. He was paroled as POW in Shreveport, Louisiana June 14, 1865 listed as a private.

Capt. Francis Marion ABNEY died on 15 September 1877 in Louisiana at age 58.¹ He was buried in Forest Park Cemetery, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana.¹

     John Culbreath ABNEY, son of Malchijah ABNEY and Isabella Culbraith, was born in 1821 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

John Culbreath ABNEY died on 16 July 1888 in Texas.¹ He was buried in Abney-Scurlock Cemetery, Geneva, Sabine County, Texas.¹

     Benjamin Franklin ABNEY, son of Malchijah ABNEY and Isabella Culbraith, was born on 25 August 1832 in St Clair County, Alabama.¹

Benjamin Franklin ABNEY died on 20 June 1843 in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, at age 10.¹ He was buried in Camp Zion Cemetery, Haughton, Bossier Parish, Louisiana.¹

     Elijah married Mary Ann Elizabeth ABNEY, daughter of Azariah ABNEY and Mary Ann POPE, circa 1848 in Newberry County, South Carolina.

Elijah Lake died in February 1850 in Newberry County, South Carolina.

Elijah left a will dated 14 February 1850 in Newberry County, South Carolina. He left to his "beloved wife Mary Ann Elizabeth all my personal and real estate after my lawful debts are paid." He appointed his father, Benjamin Lake, his executor. Witnesses were John Boozer, John Mathis and Jno. F. Schumpert. It was probated 18 Feb 1850.¹

     Cooper married Ann Augustine ABNEY, daughter of Azariah ABNEY and Mary Ann POPE, circa 1843.

Cooper B. Glenn died in 1848.

     Edmund Payne was born on 11 December 1789 in Newberry County, South Carolina. He was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Payne.

Edmund's father, Richard Payne, left a will in 1803. His heirs included his wife named Elizabeth, and his will names sons Edmund Payne, John Payne, James Payne, David Payne, and Catherine Payne.¹

Edmund married Dempsey Scurry circa 1814 in South Carolina. Their daughter, Catherine (1815-1873), married David Cooper Boazman (1807-1870) and second, Noah Tyson (1806-1874). She is buried in Slaughter Cemetery, Rodessa, Caddo Parish, Louisiana.

Edmund Payne died on 4 July 1824 in Newberry County, South Carolina, at age 34. His estate was probated in 1826 in Newberry County, South Carolina. D(empsey). Payne and John Boazman were administrators of his estate. The two were later married.

There was a partition suit with John Boazman, Dempsey, and her two children Catherine Payne and John Franklin Payne partitioning to have Edmund Payne's 300 acre tract divided. It said he had died July 4, 1824. It was appraised and John Boazman bought the whole for $630.²

John W. Payne, Edmund's brother, lived in Laurens County, South Carollina, (next to Newberry). He wrote his will in 1857, and left basically half to his wife Lucinda and the other half to be divided equally between his brothers James Payne and David Payne and his sister Catherine Payne Satterwhite Lark. Edmund is not mentioned in the will as he died in 1824. John W. Payne made bequests to his sister Catherine Satterwhite Larks's two sons consisting of a scholarship to the university in Greenville, SC and $500 each. Then he ordered some slaves sold with wife getting half, the three siblings getting half except for $500 paid to Catherine Boazman. Catherine Boazman is Catherine Payne, Dempsey and Edmund Payne's daughter who married David C. Boazman, a much younger brother to the John Boazman who married Dempsey after Edmund Payne died. He leaves to his wife Lucinda "all bank stock of money and a judgment I hold on Mildridge [sic] and Milton Grant to dispose of as she pleases." John W. Payne wrote this will on March 17, 1857 and must have died right after making the will because the warrant for appraisal was made on March 26. It was made April 21, 1857. His estate was large and with many slaves. The estate sale was held on the 22nd and among Cross Roads Church people and others who were buyers were John Chappell and Milton Grant. The 1858 accounting shows that William Abney paid $2.50 on his account. The estate process continued on until the late 1880's when some descendants brought suit for accounting. Toward the end of the estate papers, a document showed what some of the debts were in 1856, Milton Grant owed about $2.50 for farm equipment. In 1854, A. M. Smith (Archy) owed about $3.50. In 1855, Dempsy Abney owed $.75 for cutting a buggy tire. In 1855, William Abney owed $2.50. In 1857, Mildige [sic] Grant owed $.50. Notes included: $120.59 on Mildred and Milton Grant - December 16, 1856 and January 8, 1857 - Mildred Grant - $33.76.¹

     John W. Boazman was born on 28 March 1791 in Newberry County, South Carolina.¹

John married Dempsey Scurry circa 1824 in South Carolina.¹

John W. Boazman died on 1 January 1835 in Newberry County, South Carolina, at age 43.¹ He was buried in Boazman & Smith Cemetery, Chappells, Newberry County, South Carolina.

John left a will dated 31 December 1834 in Newberry County, South Carolina. His heirs included his wife, Demcy Boazman, sons John Beal and Ralph Boazman, and daughter Susan Carnelia Boazman. It was proven 20 Jan 1835 and recorded 25 Mar 1836. Witnesses were John Chappell, John Plant and Grant Scurry.²

     Milton Grant was born in September 1834 in South Carolina.

Milton married Susan Elizabeth ABNEY, daughter of William Hardy ABNEY and Nancy BLACK, circa 1854 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.

Milton Grant appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 14 June 1900 in Kinards, Greenwood County, South Carolina. The household was listed as Milton Grant, a 65 year old dairyman, born Sep 1834; his mother Mildred Hitt, a widow, age 87, born Dec 1812, mother of 5, 2 living; and his wife Elizabeth Grant, age 65, born Feb 1835. They had been married 20 years (1880) and Elizabeth was the mother of 6 children, only one still living. All were born in South Carolina. This was an apparent second marriage for Milton.

Milton Grant appeared in a newspaper article 14 June 1900 in the The Evening Index, published in Greenwood, South Carolina. "Mr. Hillary Grant, with his sister Miss Lula and Miss Fannie Clary, from Saluda county, were guests of Mrs. Milton Grant (Elizabeth) last Saturday and Sunday." Hillary and Lula Grant were the children of John Ralph Grant.

Milton Grant died on 21 March 1901 in Cross Hill, Laurens County, South Carolina, at age 66. He was buried in Bathabara Baptist Church Cemetery, Cross Hill, Laurens County, South Carolina.

His obituary appeared 27 March 1901 in the The Laurens Advertiser, published in Laurens, South Carolina. "Cross Hill News -- Mr. Milton Grant died at his home Thursday morning. His remains were interred at Bathabara Cemetery Saturday."

     John Ralph Grant, son of Milton Grant and Susan Elizabeth ABNEY, was born on 24 March 1856 in South Carolina.

He appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1860, in the household of his grandparents Dempsey Scurry and William Hardy ABNEY in Newberry, Newberry County, South Carolina. He was recorded as Ralph Grant, age 4, born in South Carolina.¹

He appeared on a census, enumerated 2 August 1870, in the household of his grandparents William Hardy ABNEY and Julia Ann Ellis in Coleman Roads post office, Saluda, Edgefield County, South Carolina. He was recorded as Ralph Abney(sic), age 14, attending school, born South Carolina.²

John Ralph Grant died on 7 May 1931 in South Carolina at age 75. He was buried in Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Saluda, Saluda County, South Carolina.

     Lewis May was born on 4 July 1808 in Good Hope, Edgefield County, South Carolina.

Lewis married first Christian Ann Bean on 28 March 1833 in Good Hope, Edgefield County, South Carolina. They had four children: Mary Ann May (1834-1889), Susan Ann May (1836-1906), Christian Manerva May (1840-1905), and James A. May (1843-1861.)^1,2

Lewis married second Melinda Ellis on 29 December 1845 in Good Hope, Edgefield County, South Carolina.³

Lewis May and Melinda Ellis appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 17 August 1850 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The household was listed as Lewis May, a 43 year old farmer with real estate valued $2000; his inferred wife Melinda May, age 24; Susan May, age 13, attending school; Christian M. May, female age 8, attending school; James A. May, age 6, attending school; Milberry May, female age 2; and Livenia May, age 1. All were born in South Carolina.⁴

Lewis married third Julia Ann Ellis on 29 November 1859 in Good Hope, Edgefield County, South Carolina.

Lewis May died on 22 November 1864 at age 56.

     Pickens Goggans was born circa 1853 in South Carolina. He was the son of John Goggans.

Pickens married Emma Lula May, daughter of Lewis May and Julia Ann Ellis, circa 1877 in Good Hope, Edgefield County, South Carolina.

Pickens Goggans died on 6 February 1878 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.

Pickens Goggans and Emma Lula May appeared in a newspaper article 26 February 1878 in the The Camden Journal, published in Camden, South Carolina. Mysterious Murder-- We take from the Edgefield Advertiser the following account of a mysterious murder that occurated lately in that county:

"On Wednesday evening, the 5th instant, a horrible murder occured in the upper part of our county-- some nines miles above Good Hope and some six miles below Higgin's Ferry on the Saluda. Here lived Mr. Pickens Goggans, one of the sons of the Goggans that was murdered at the same place some two or three years back, by Smith. This man Smith, it will be remembered, fled to Georgia and has never been apprehended. Pickens Goggans was a young man of 25 or 26. He had been married only some six to eight weeks to a very pretty young girl of only 15 or 16. On the evening above named, at nightfall, while Goggans was lying before the fire in the dining room, with his head on a chair, and while his wife was in the adjoining room getting supper the latter heard the report of a pistol in the dining room. In terror she rushed out of the house and summoned a neighbor who lived within call. And when she and the neighbor entered the dining room they found Goggans dead, shot through the head as he lay before the fire. As to further details of this horrible matter and various reports concerning it we deem it best not to make them public yet."

Later developments cast suspicion upon the widow and brothers of the deceased. A jury of inquest charges the crime upon them.

The 13 Feb 1878 The Abbeville Press and Banner (Abbeville, SC) added a few additional details. It gave the victim's name as "F. P. Goggins" and the location as "about seven or eight miles from Chappell's Depot." It added that "Goggins was lately married to a Miss May."


Pickens and Emma Lula May appeared in a newspaper article 21 February 1878 in the The Edgefield Advertiser, published in Edgefield, South Carolina. Goggans Murder -- The inquest jury met at Good Hope on the 16th and the evidence led to the arrest of John and Henry Goggans, brothers of the deceased, and Mrs. Emma Goggans, his widow. They proceeded to Lexington to apply for bail.

The 26 Feb 1878 issue of The News and Herald (Winnsboro, SC) said the murder had taken place near Good Hope Church and gives a more decided verdict to the inquest of "Pickens Goggins"... saying that "John Goggins, Henry Goggins and Mrs. Emma Goggins, widow of the deceased, (a girl of fifteen, and recently married) are the murderers. The party were perfectly cool in giving their evidence, not a tear being shed by one of them. The widow is very pretty and was gaudily dressed during the examination."

The 28 Feb 1878 The Edgefield Advertiser mentioned "There are now twenty prisoners in our jail, of whom four are white persons. These four are John Goggins, Henry Goggins, Mrs. Emma Goggins, and a man named Riser."

There is a gap in the available issues of The Edgefield Advertiser between February and July 1878 and no articles have been found covering the trial, however Emma died only a year later at home and one of her obituaries stated that she had been acquitted of the murder. Both John and Henry Goggans are found in the 1880 census so apparently they were also acquitted.

Pickens father was also murdered at home only a few years previously. From the 10 Jul 1874 Daily Phoenix (Columbia, SC) - "Homocide in the Good Hope Section - On Saturday afternoon last, about nightfal, John Goggans, an old man with eight or nine children, living in the Good Hope section (a little above Richardsonville) was shot and instantly killed by a young man named Jack Smith, of the same section." Smith fled to Louisiana and was never apprehended.

     Christian Ann Bean was born in 1811 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Christian married Lewis May on 28 March 1833 in Good Hope, Edgefield County, South Carolina. They had four children: Mary Ann May (1834-1889), Susan Ann May (1836-1906), Christian Manerva May (1840-1905), and James A. May (1843-1861.)^1,2

Christian Ann Bean died on 8 April 1845 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

     Melinda Ellis was born circa 1826 in South Carolina.

Melinda married Lewis May on 29 December 1845 in Good Hope, Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Melinda Ellis and Lewis May appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 17 August 1850 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The household was listed as Lewis May, a 43 year old farmer with real estate valued $2000; his inferred wife Melinda May, age 24; Susan May, age 13, attending school; Christian M. May, female age 8, attending school; James A. May, age 6, attending school; Milberry May, female age 2; and Livenia May, age 1. All were born in South Carolina.²

Melinda Ellis died in May 1856 in South Carolina.