Person Page - 51

     Thomas married Bathshua ABNEY, daughter of Dannett ABNEY Sr. and Mary LEE, in 1722 in Virginia.

Thomas HILL bought a tract of land from Dannett ABNEY on 14 January 1768 in Halifax County, Virginia. For £30 they sold 98 acres on Catawba Creek, beginning at John Bates' corner, his line north... crossing Catawba Creek... Pruett's line, thence crossing said creek... the meanders of a branch... Pruett's line... the beginning. Witnesses: James Hill, Samuel Abney, Ann Hill, Elizabeth (x) Tery.¹

     Thomas SPRAGGINS, daughter of Martha ABNEY, was born in 1720 at Chickahominy River in Henrico County, Virginia.

Thomas married Maacah ABNEY, son of Dannett ABNEY Jr. and Mary MEREDITH, in 1759 in Henrico County, Virginia.¹

Thomas SPRAGGINS bought a tract of land from Samuel ABNEY Sr. on 17 July 1767 in Halifax County, Virginia. Both were residents of Halifax county. For £18 he sold 200 acres, part of 2 larger tracts; beginning at said Spraggins' corner to William East's line, including all houses, buildings, orchards. It was witnessed by Nat'l Spragen, Edward Osborn, and D. Hunt.²

Thomas SPRAGGINS bought a tract of land from Capt. William ABNEY on 29 August 1768 in Halifax County, Virginia. For £20 they sold 175 acres beginning at a hickory in Thomas Spraggin's line, thence east... Harroway's lines south... William Glass' lines west... up a branch as it meanders to a hickory in William East's line... new lines. All houses, orchards, gardens, etc. Witnesses: Epa. White, Nat'l Spragin, William Hunt, Mary Spragin.³

Thomas SPRAGGINS bought a tract of land from Samuel ABNEY Sr. on 19 April 1770 in Halifax County, Virginia. For the sum of 18 pounds he sold him about 100 acres bounded by Thomas Spraggins including all houses, orchards, gardens, woods, etc. It was signed by Samuel Abney and witnessed by William Lawson, Richard Finch and James Hunt. It was recorded that same day. After this date there are no further entries in Virginia for Samuel Abney, all later documents for Sam are in South Carolina.^4,5

Thomas SPRAGGINS died on 17 December 1794 in Henrico County, Virginia. She was buried in Clarkton Cemetery, Clarkton, Halifax County, Virginia.⁶

     Ruth ABNEY was named an heir in the will of Dannett ABNEY Jr. dated 3 November 1756 in Hanover County, Virginia. Item I empower my executors to sell a Tract of Land in Hallifax County laying on a branch commonly called Lick branch; containing eight hundred acres, which money after paying my lawful debts to be equally divided amongst my wife Mary Abney, Reubin Abney, Ruth Sharrar & Sarrah Abney.¹

     John LEE, son of Rev. Joseph LEE and Sarah Adderley, was born in 1656 in Cotesbach, Leicestershire, England. He witnessed the marriage of Dannett ABNEY Sr. and Mary LEE in 1692 in England.^1,2

On 20 Apr 1694 John Lee received a patent for 960 acres in the upper part of Nansemond county, on the east side of Sumerton Creek. It began on a small island on East side of said creek to the northeast side of the Cyprus Swamp, including transport of 20 persons: Dennit Abney, Mary Emerson, Hannah Haines, Elizabeth Evans, Catherine Jones, Rachell Redfera, Alice Godale, Thomas Godale, George Lawrence, Walter Wright, William Knowles, Adam Broath, John Watts, John Saterwhite, and Pallas, Attkena, Jupiter, Vulcan, Mars, Negroes.

John Lee also patented 600 acres of land on the west side of Chowan River in Bertie Co., NC(originally Nansemond Co., VA then Chowan Co. NC) on the north side of Indian Creek joining John Hook, the creek swamp and the Virginia line. Nansemond, VA changed to Bertie, NC when boundary changed in 1728.³

John LEE died in 1738 in Bertie County, North Carolina. He was buried in John Lee Plantation Pamplico River, Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina.

     Rebecca ABNEY, daughter of Dr. Abraham ABNEY and Cassandra MEREDITH, was born circa 1725 in Gloucester County, Virginia.

Rebecca married Edward DEAN Sr. circa 1746 in Henrico County, Virginia.¹

Rebecca ABNEY died in 1765 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.²

     Samuel ABNEY, son of Dannett ABNEY and Cassandra Abney, was born between 1755 and 1760 in Halifax County, Virginia.¹ Samuel ABNEY also went by the name of "Long Sam". Records from the time sometimes listed him as Samuel Abney, Jr. to differentiate him from Samuel Abney, Sr., his uncle, who married Martha Harriet Hamilton.²

Samuel saw military service circa 1780 in Ninety-Six District, South Carolina, during the Revolution. He served in Col. Robert Anderson's company in Gen. Pickens South Carolina Militia. It was per Samuel's request (he signed his name with an X) that his payment for services rendered be delivered to Mr. Joshua Deen on October 27, 1785. The pay indent read, "Mr. Saml. Abney, Junr. his accot. of Duty in the Militia as Private before, and since the reduction of Charleston."³

Sam was captured at the fall of Charleston and involved in the Batlle of King's Mountain on 7 Oct 1780. From King's Mountain and Its Heroes:

Note: After the war, Tories were relieved of their real estate. Sam retained his lands and privileges proving that he never regarded as Tory.⁵

Samuel ABNEY witnessed a sale of land by George Dean Sr. on 22 January 1795 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The land on Perryman Creek, a branch of the Little Saluda River, was adjacent to Dannett Abney's land. Dannett and Samuel Abney were among the witnesses.⁶

Samuel ABNEY bought a tract of land from Dannett ABNEY on 20 December 1797 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Sold for $150 the deed contained 150 acres upon Persimmon Lick Creek of the Little Saluda River, originally granted unto said Dannett Abney, adjacent lands of Joseph Griffith, George Abney, Walter Abney, and Glade Lick Creek. Witnesses were Joel Abney and Esau Brooks. It was signed by Dannett Abney and proven 5 Jan 1798 by Joel Abney. It was recorded 13 Jun 1798 by Nathaniel Abney, JP

This land was located where Glade Lick Creek joins Persimmon Creek, near Hicks Grove Church.⁷ He witnessed the sale of land from Dannett ABNEY to an unknown person on 14 February 1798 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. John Riley.⁸

Samuel married first Mary RILEY in 1807 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She was a daughter of William Riley, Sr.⁹

Samuel ABNEY acquired a government land plat 22 December 1810 on Big Creek of Little Saluda River, Edgefield County, South Carolina. It contained 1000 acres and was surveyed by John Abney. Other names mentioned: Smith Brooks, William Butler, Samuel Mays, William Riley and William Summers.¹⁰

Samuel married second Gilly Trotter, daughter of Hezekiah Gentry and Catherine Reynolds, on 8 May 1819 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Gilly was the daughter of Hezekiah Gentry and was apparently rather well to do. On this was the date they signed a marriage constract agreeing that they would share equally during their marriage as long as they both lived. At the death of the other party they had the right to dispose of the property as they saw fit.¹¹

Samuel ABNEY sold a tract of land to John Riley on 13 September 1822 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Samuel Abney for one thousand dollars in hand paid by John Riley, sold to Riley two hundred fifty acres originally granted to Dennet Abney and given by Dennet Abney to Samuel Abney, the land lying between Persimmon Creek and Glade Lick Branch adj. lands of William Barnes, Macha Griffith, and Joseph Retherford. Signed by Samuel (X) Abney. Witnesses: James Bowlen, Z. S. Brooks and John Walton, Junr. Proved 7 Oct 1823 by Zachariah S. Brooks and Daniel Bird CC. Justice John Chapman certifies relinquishment of dower of Gilly Abney.¹²

Samuel ABNEY died in 1826 in Jones County, Georgia.

Samuel left a will dated 25 December 1826 in Jones County, Georgia. His estate was inventoried and sold beginning in early 1827.

     Sgt. George ABNEY, son of Dannett ABNEY and Cassandra Abney, was born on 10 February 1752 in Henrico County, Virginia.^1,2

George married Sarah "Sally" GRIFFITH, daughter of David G. GRIFFITH and Hannah Middleton, circa 1770 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.

He began military service at age 23 on 3 July 1775 in the Ninety-Sixth District, South Carolina, when he enlisted as a private in the South Carolina Militia and served under Capt. Henry Foster, Col. LeRoy Hammond, and Gen. Andrew Pickens. He marched through the mountains to the head of the Savannah River and was in two light engagements with the Indians. He was discharged after having served four months. In 1778, about six months before the fall of Charleston, he re-enlisted as a 2nd sergeant again under Capt. Foster. In 1780 or 1781 he served under Capts. William Butler, Samuel Sinquefield and John Towles, scouting and rangering against the Tories. He served in the sieges of Augusta, Georgia and Ninety-Six, South Carolina. He was discharged Charleston after serving about 16 months. After the war he lived in Georgia, Tennessee and finally settled in Indiana. He applied for his pension 12 Feb 1822 in Switzerland County, Indiana. His claim was denied because his service was not continental as required by the act under which he applied. He applied again 7 Nov 1832 while a resident of Hamilton county, Indiana where he had lived for four years and had been a resident of the state for nine years. This pension was granted at the rate of $80.00 per year. The last payment was made 5 Apr 1838.^1,3

Sgt. George ABNEY appeared on the 1790 Federal Census of Edgefield County, South Carolina, Two males under 16 [Joshua, William], two males 16 and over [George or Charles, George, Sr.], and two females [Ann, Sarah].

Sgt. George ABNEY bought a tract of land from his father, Dannett ABNEY, on 20 December 1797 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For $150 he sold 150 acres on Persimmon Lick Creek orginally granted to said Dannett Abney, whereon said George Abney now lives, adjacent Joseph Griffins land, Simon Brooks, line dividing said George Abney and his brother Samuel Abney. Witnesses were Joel Abney and Essau Brooks. It was signed by Dannett and proven 5 Jan 1798 by Joel Abney before Nathaniel Abney, JP. Recorded 29 May 1796.⁴

The Revolutionary era one-acre site for the ABNEY Meetinghouse near the head of Persimmon Lick Creek and a mile south of Higgins Ferry (Saluda River), was donated by George Abney in 1798. The subscriptions to build and maintain the non-denominational meetinghouse were collected in 1803.⁵

Sgt. George ABNEY and Samuel ABNEY witnessed the sale of land from Dannett ABNEY to John Riley on 14 February 1798 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The land was located on Persimmon Lick Creek of the Little Saluda River.⁶

Sgt. George ABNEY sold a tract of land to David Griffeths of Newberry County on 12 December 1798 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For 74.13 pounds sterling 100 acres being part of 150 acres conveyed from Dannett Abney to George Abney and orginally granted to said Dannett Abney, upon Persimmon Lick Creek of Little Saluda River, bound by Joseph Griffiths and Samuel Abney. Witnesses were William Boulware, Joseph Griffith, and John Gwyn. Signed George (X) Abney and Sally (X) Abney. Judge William Anderson certified relinquishment of dower by Salley Abney, signed Salley (X) Abney. Proven 18 March 1799 by Joseph Griffiths; Nathaniel Abney, JP. Recorded 16 Mar 1799.⁷

He was included on a tax list in 1801 in Capt. James Kendrick's Company, Jackson County, Georgia. Jackson county was northeast of Atlanta and bisected by I-85.

Sgt. George ABNEY and Joshua ABNEY were included on a tax list in 1805 in Warren County, Tennessee.

Sgt. George ABNEY and Joshua ABNEY were included on a tax list in 1812 in Warren County, Tennessee. Joseph Griffith was also living there. The county is southeast of Nashville.

Sgt. George ABNEY appeared on the 1820 Federal Census of Jackson County, Tennessee, he was recorded as George Abner. The household consisted of one male 45 or older [George] and two foreigners not naturalized. Sally was not listed. The county is a short distance east of Nashville.

Sgt. George ABNEY appeared on the 1830 Federal Census of Hamilton County, Indiana, One male 70-79 [George] and one female 70-79 [Sally].

Sgt. George ABNEY died on 5 April 1838 in Hamilton County, Indiana, at age 86. "He died at the age of 98 [error] while burning stumps to clear his family's homestead."^5,8 He was buried in Highland Cemetery, Fishers, Hamilton County, Indiana.

     Mary RILEY was born circa 1781.¹

Mary married an unknown person , son of Dannett ABNEY and Cassandra Abney, in 1807 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She was a daughter of William Riley, Sr.¹

Mary RILEY died in December 1818 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

     Samuel married Rebecca Jane GRAHAM, daughter of John R. GRAHAM and Elizabeth CALLAWAY, on 7 March 1861 in Calhoun County, Alabama.¹

     Richard FLEWELLEN was born in 1683 in Bristol Parish, Virginia.

Richard married Nancy "Betsy" TAYLOR circa 1704 in Virginia. Among those saved from a vessel that was wrecked in the early days of the country off the coast of Virginia or North Carolina were two little children , who were taken in by local persons. The boy said his name was Dick, but could not tell his surname. The little girl who was a few years older had become acquainted with the boy and his parents on the voyage, said his name was Dick Fluellen and that her name was Betsy Taylor. Some older members of the family claim that they came from Ireland, but the name suggests Wales. The two children later fell in love and were married. They had four sons: Obediah, John, Richard and William.¹

     Mattox MAYS was born circa 1710.¹

Mattox married Elizabeth Gardiner circa 1724.¹

Mattox married Dorcas ABNEY, daughter of George ABNEY and Unity Meredith, in 1757 in Halifax County, Virginia.²

Mattox MAYS bought a tract of land from Nathaniel ABNEY on 22 December 1761 in Halifax County, Virginia. Nathaniel Abney and William Abney of Halifax County to Mattox Mays of Lunnenburg County for £65, 370 acres on both sides of Mayses Creek beginning at a red oak thence north to Ellis' line including all houses, orchards, etc. Witnesses were William Hill, Abraham Abney, Joseph Mayes, Joseph East and John Mayes.³

Mattox MAYS bought a tract of land from George ABNEY on 16 March 1762 in Halifax County, Virginia. George Abney of Hallifax county to Mattox Mays of same, for £40, 200 acres on both sides of Mayses corner, beginning at a red oak thence north along Abraham Abney's line... the Saplin Ridge... Witnesses were Nat'l Abney, Sam'l Abney, William Hill, and Joseph Mayes. Unity, wife of George Abney relinquished her right of dower. Recorded 20 May 1762.⁴

Mattox MAYS died after 18 March 1773 in Virginia.

     Dannett ABNEY Sr. and William HILL patented 419 acres signed by King George II on 2 September 1728 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.¹

William HILL, son of Thomas HILL and Bathshua ABNEY, was born in 1740 in Virginia.²

William HILL was mentioned in a letter about Martha Harriett HAMILTON and the Hamilton family written by Thomas Hamilton Abney wrote in an 1859 letter to his son, Alexander. It read: "My uncle, after whom I was named, was killed previously at King's Mountain, where Colonel Ferguson commanded a company of British regulars and Torys, and which was one of the most sanguinary battle that was fought during the Revolution, considering the numbers. We had a great many relatives in that battle, two or three killed and most of them wounded, Uncle Tom on the second assault on the breastworks. Captain [William] Hill, a nephew of my grandmother, commanded the company my uncle was in. He was in his sixteenth year."

I have not been able verify his military service. There is evidence of a Lt. William Hill in the Lower Ninety-Six District Regiment under Capt. Lewis Hogg.^3,4

There was another, more well known, William Hill that played a major role in the American Revolution. He was born 13 Sep 1741 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and died 1 Dec 1816 in York District, South Caroline. His wife was Jane McCall (1740-1818) and they are buried in the Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Clover, York County, South Carolina. He operated a large iron works in the New Acquisition District which was burned by the British during the war. He was a Colonel in the militia under Andrew Pickers. He mostly appears in records of York, Pendleton and Sparta districts while our William Hill was in Edgefiled District.

William married Dorcas ABNEY, daughter of George ABNEY and Unity Meredith, circa 1773 in Halifax County, Virginia. They were cousins. Dorcas, William, and the Mays children moved to Edgefield District, South Carolina, about 1775, in company with several of her Abney kin.^5,6,7

On 29 Oct 1785 William received the payment for Samuel Abney, Sr.'s service in the militia during the Revolution for the widow, Martha Abney.⁸

William HILL died on 11 September 1801 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.⁹ He was buried in Old Mays Cemetery, Edgefield, Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹⁰

     Mary Ann ROBERTS was born on 2 January 1812 in Illinois.

Mary married Robert Rutherford ABNEY, son of Paul Collins ABNEY and Dorothy "Dolly" RUTHERFORD, on 14 July 1830 in Hinds County, Mississippi. The marriage produced ten children.^1,2

Mary Ann ABNEY and Robert Rutherford ABNEY moved from Champion Hill, Hinds County, Mississippi to Jasper County, Mississippi, in1836.³

In poor health, Mary Ann ROBERTS and Robert Rutherford ABNEY moved from Jasper County, Mississippi to Marion (now Pearl River) County, Mississippi, about 1872. They lived there with their son Henry who was a doctor. Here they remained until their deaths.

Six of his seven sons went off to war and all returned home. William Washington and three of his brothers stayed in the county and the other three moved on.^3,4

Mary Ann ROBERTS died on 19 February 1880 in Marion County, Mississippi, at age 68.³

     Martha ABNEY, daughter of Samuel ABNEY Sr. and Martha Harriett HAMILTON, was born circa 1776 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹ She was also known as Patsey.²

Martha married William KENNEDY, son of Alexander KENNEDY and Jane (?), circa 1794 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.²

Martha ABNEY, Dorcas ABNEY and Rebecca ABNEY received gifts of property from their mother Martha Harriett ABNEY on 13 May 1807 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Martha Abney, widow, to her daughters Martha Kennedy, Rebecca Brooks and Dorcas Fore, Deed of Gift, for love and affection, to Martha Kennedy one Negro girl now in her possssion named Noon, ten years old; to Rebecca Brooks, one Negro girl named Jane now in her possession about 13 years old; and to Dorcas Fore one Negro girl named Cheney about 8 years old now in my possession. Witnesses were Zachariah Abney, Nancy Davis, and Patsy Davis. It was signed by Martha /x/ Abney and proven 13 May 1807 by Zachariah Abney. William Spraggins, JP. Recorded 15 Apr 1808.³

She was probably the female age 26 to 44 listed in the household of her husband, William KENNEDY, in the 1820 Federal Census of Monticello, Jasper County, Georgia, She would have been age 44.

She was probably the female age 50 to 59 listed in the household of her husband, William KENNEDY, in the 1830 Federal Census of Greene County, Alabama, Martha would have been age 54.

She was probably the female age 60 to 70 listed in the household of her husband, William KENNEDY, in the 1840 Federal Census of Greene County, Alabama, Martha would have been age 64.

Martha ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 12 October 1850 in Greene County, Alabama. The household was listed as Martha Kennedy, age 74, born South Carolina. She had real estate valued at $1000. Also in household was John Brown, a 28 year old farmer born in Georgia. He was probably her nephew, a son of Harriett Brown. Living next door was her son James Kennedy, age 47.

Martha ABNEY died in 1852 in Greene County, Alabama.⁴

     Dorcas ABNEY, daughter of George ABNEY and Unity Meredith, was born circa 1735 in Henrico County, Virginia.^1,2

Dorcas married first Mattox MAYS in 1757 in Halifax County, Virginia.²

Dorcas married second William HILL, son of Thomas HILL and Bathshua ABNEY, circa 1773 in Halifax County, Virginia. They were cousins. Dorcas, William, and the Mays children moved to Edgefield District, South Carolina, about 1775, in company with several of her Abney kin.^3,4,2

Dorcas left a will dated 1804 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. THE WILL OF DORCAS ABNEY MAYS HILL Copy made in the Court House at Edgefield, SC, May 1927, by Agatha Abney Woodson, Edgefield, SC.

In the name of God, Amen, I, Dorcas Hill, being sick of body, though sound of mind and memory, thanks be to God for the same, do make this my last will and testament, as follows:

Item--I give and bequeath to my son, Dannett Hill, my third of the estate of William Hill, deceased, my late husband, that is to say, the one-third of all the stock, household furniture, and plantation tools to him and his heirs forever. Further, it is my will that in case my son Dannett Hill should die without heirs, or heirs of heir lawfully begotten, then in that case it is my will that it return to my children by my first husband, except he should will it to all or a part of my first children. I do hereby appoint Samuel Mays and Dannett Hill executors of this my last will and testament. Signed, sealed and confirmed this twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one. and in the presence of Samuel Mays, Joseph Abney and J. Whitely. DORCAS HILL (her mark). By John Simpkins, Ordinary. South Carolina, Edgefield District. Personally appeared before me Samuel Mays and John Whiteley, who being duly sworn do make oath and say that they were present and saw Dorcas Hill sign, seal, publish and deliver the within to be her last will and testament and that the said Dorcas Hill was then of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of these deponents' knowledge and belief, and that they saw Joseph Abney sign his name as a witness thereto at the request of the testator; at the same time qualified Dannett Hill, executor. Given under my hand at my office the twenty-seventy day of February 1804. John Simpkins, O.E.D. Recorded in Will Book B, May 22, pp 194, 195. A true copy of will recorded in my office. W.J. Kincaid, Probate Judge, Edgefield, SC.

Dorcas ABNEY died on 27 February 1804 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.⁵ She was buried in Old Mays Cemetery, Edgefield, Edgefield County, South Carolina.⁶

     Rebecca ABNEY, daughter of Samuel ABNEY Sr. and Martha Harriett HAMILTON, was born circa 1778 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.

Rebecca married John Brooks circa 1798 in South Carolina.¹

Martha ABNEY, Rebecca ABNEY and Dorcas ABNEY received gifts of property from their mother Martha Harriett ABNEY on 13 May 1807 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Martha Abney, widow, to her daughters Martha Kennedy, Rebecca Brooks and Dorcas Fore, Deed of Gift, for love and affection, to Martha Kennedy one Negro girl now in her possssion named Noon, ten years old; to Rebecca Brooks, one Negro girl named Jane now in her possession about 13 years old; and to Dorcas Fore one Negro girl named Cheney about 8 years old now in my possession. Witnesses were Zachariah Abney, Nancy Davis, and Patsy Davis. It was signed by Martha /x/ Abney and proven 13 May 1807 by Zachariah Abney. William Spraggins, JP. Recorded 15 Apr 1808.²