Henderson Family at Grindal (Carroll) Shoals – Part III

BY ROBERT A. IVEY

Anna B. Henderson, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Williams Henderson, was born March 13, 1739, in Hanover County, Virginia.  She married Daniel Williams, son of Daniel and Ursula Henderson Williams, at Oxford, Granville County, North Carolina, on July 31, 1755.  Daniel was born July 2, 1736, at Old Fork Church, Hanover County, Virginia, and was her first cousin.

(RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Tree, Contact: Belle Johnson;  RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Through the Years, Contact: Jason Lance; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Timelines, Contact: Jody L. Howard)

 

Anna and her husband, Daniel, moved to Carroll (Grindal) Shoals with her sisters, Mary, and her husband, Joab Mitchell, and Elizabeth, and her husband, John Beckham, circa 1765.  (North Carolina Land Grants in South Carolina by Brent Holcomb, page 95, Mecklenburg County, Joab Mitchell)

There are no records of Daniel Williams’ ownership of property in the area.  According to Angelica Mitchell Nott, she lived with her adopted parents on Sandy Run.  (History of Grindal Shoals by Rev. J. D. Bailey, page 73)

Records do not indicate that she was born on Sandy Run.  Her father, Joab Mitchell, owned land next to the Coleman’s and next to John Beckham’s land that he sold to William Hodge, so she would not have been born on Sandy Run.  (North Carolina Land Grants in South Carolina by Brent Holcomb, page 95)

Angelica Mitchell was about five years old when her father took the rest of the family to Tennessee.  She remained with her Aunt Anna Henderson Williams and her husband, Daniel Williams.  (History of Grindal Shoals by Rev. J. D. Bailey, page 73)

Daniel Williams brother, John Williams, was born in Old Fork Church, Hanover County, Virginia, November 4, 1737.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: O’Bryan Kavinsky, page 1, Contact: Tim O’Bryan)

John moved from Granville, N. C., to Ninety Six District, S. C. (later Laurens District, S. C.), in 1771/2.

Daniel’s brother, James Williams, was born in Old Fork Church, Hanover County, Virginia, November 10, 1740.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: For My Dad, William Wied Robertson, Contact: Deb Morrison)

James Williams may have married, Mary Clarke, circa 1762, in North Carolina.  Several databases list Mary Clarke, as his wife.  She was born May 8, 1743, in Augusta County, Virginia.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: A Goode American Family, Contact: David Goode; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Jimison and Related Families of Western, N. C., page 1, Contact: Richard Davis)

 

If she was a Clarke, then her mother, Mary Wallace, would have been married a second time to John Wallace.  John was born circa 1722, and died in 1758.

Mary ? Wallace, was born circa 1725, and died in 1790.  She was buried in a marked grave in the Williams–Nance Family Cemetery in Laurens District, S. C.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Jimison and Related Families of Western N. C., page 1, Contact: Richard Davis)

The inscription on Mary’s tombstone reads: “To the memory of Mrs. Mary Wallace, mother of Mrs. Mary Williams, widow of Colonel James Williams of Kings Mountain, died about 1790.”

(Family Cemeteries, Laurens County, S. C., Vol. II, pages 94-96, by Col. James Leland Bolt and Margaret Eltinge Bolt)

(Miscellaneous Inscriptions from Laurens District Cemeteries—Google; RootsWeb: SCROOTS-L Re: Col. James Williams Petitions—Regarding Petition, page 1—Google)

 

James Williams moved his family to what later became Laurens District, S. C., in 1772/3.

John and James and their families lived on Mudlick Creek in the Little River Presbyterian Church community.  They were members of this church.

John and James were both members of the Provincial Congress that met in Charleston on January 11, 1775.  They served as Patriot officers in the American Revolution.

(Brigadier General James Henderson Williams ‘1740-1780’ – Find a Grave Memorial—Google); Biography of Col. James Williams in the Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution by Benson J. Lossing; Maj. John Williams ‘1737-1794’ –Find a Grave Memorial—Google)

 

James was killed at the Battle of Kings Mountain October 8, 1780, buried on what was long known as the Fondren property, then the old Carruth place, near present day Blacksburg, S. C., and his remains re-interred on the grounds of the old Carnegie library building in Gaffney, South Carolina.  (Brigadier General James Henderson Williams ‘1740-1780’—Find a Grave Memorial—Google)

(Early Descendants of John Williams, Hanover County, Virginia, page 8, Google)

 

Mary Clarke (?) Williams, widow of General James Williams, was married a second time to Joseph Griffin in 1787/8.  Joseph Griffin, son of John and Margaret Edna Goode Griffin, was born in St. Thomas, Orange County, Virginia, circa 1736, and died June 2, 1791, in Laurens District, S. C.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: A Goode American Family, page 1, Contact: David Goode; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Casner Family Tree, page 1, Contact: Em Wendel)

 

In the Laurens County Deed Book B: Page 354, June 24, 1788; page 358, May 14, 1788; page 359, May 14, 1788; page 360, January 26, 1787; page 375, January 29, 1787; is found the following:

Book B, Pages 357-358, 1 Jan 1787.  Mary Williams, Executrix, to late Col. James Williams, deceased, (Laurens Co.) in consideration of the Natural Love & affection, which she hath unto her beloved Daughter, Elizabeth Tinsley, (same) as also for one pound Sterling, give to her and the heirs of her Body, otherwise at her death to be returned to be equally divided among the said Col. Williams children then alive.

One negro man Slave, Peter, one Negro Woman Slave, Tiro, one negro boy slave, Fill, one negro girl slave, Easter, one ditto slave, Marian & 150 acres of Land, granted unto Joseph Hutcherson 6 Mar. 1770, upon Mudlick Creek.  Witness John Williams Jun., Robert Sayer, Anthony Golden, James Criswell, Prestings Tinsley. Signed Mary Williams.  Recorded 24 June 1788.

Book B, Page 360, 26 Jan 1787, Mary Williams (Laurens Co.) in consideration of one pound Sterling paid by John Williams, Jun.  Sell Sundry Negroes, one Negro man Slave, Charles, one negro woman Slave, Habey, one negro boy slave, Buck, one Negro Girl Slave, Nan, & one negro child Slave, Ellick.

Witness Silvester Walker, Joseph Griffin, William Caldwell.  Signed Mary Williams.  Recorded 26 June 1788.

Book B, Page 375, 29 Jan 1787, Mary Williams (Laurens Co.) in consideration of the one pound Sterling paid by James Atwood Williams, sell one Indian man slave, Thom, one negro woman slave, Flora, one Negro woman slave, Sary, one Negro girl slave, Rose, one negro child slave, John.

Witness Silvester Walker, Joseph Griffin, William Caldwell, Signed Mary Williams.  Witness oath of Silvester Walker Sen. that he saw Mary Williams (now Mary Griffin) sign the Deed.  Given 9 June 1788 before Angus Campbell J. P.  Recorded 30 June 1788.

Book B, Pages 375-376, 29 June 1787, Mary Williams (Laurens Co.) is firmly bound unto James Atwood Williams (same) for 105 pounds Sterling.  Condition that if Mary Williams makes good titles to 150 acres of land then this obligation to be void.  Witness Silvester Walker, Joseph Griffin, William Caldwell.  Signed Mary Williams.  Witness oath by Silvester Walker Sen. that he saw Mary Williams (now Mary Griffin) sign the Bond.  Given 9 June 1788 before Angus Campbell J. P.  Recorded 30 June 1788.

Book B, Pages 359-360, 1 April 1788, Joseph Griffin & his wife, (Laurens Co.) in consideration of the natural Love & affection they hath unto their beloved Daughter, Sarah Griffin, (same) as also for 207 pounds Sterling give her & her heirs of her body if any she should have, otherwise at her death to revolve back to be equally divided among the sons & daughters of James Williams, deceased, then alive.

One negro woman Slave, Pall, one Negro boy Slave, Philles, one Mulatto boy Slave, Natt, one Negro boy Slave, Cats, one Negro girl Slave, Molly, & one Feather bed & furniture.  Witness Arche Siers, John Neily.  Signed Joseph Griffin, Mary Griffin.  13 May 1788, Received of Sarah Griffin by the hand of her husband, John Griffin, 207 seven pounds Sterling.  Signed Joseph Griffin.  Recorded 25 June 1788.

Deed Book B, Pages 358-359, Joseph Griffin & Mary, his wife, (Laurens Co.) in consideration of the Natural Love & affection they hath unto their beloved Sons James Williams & Washington Williams (same) as also for 434 pounds Sterling give ten Negroes & two feather Beds, one Negro man Slave, Mingo, one negro woman Slave, Linder, one Negro woman Slave, Diner, one Negro woman Slave, Liddy, one Negro man Slave, Frank, one negro boy Slave, Mingo, one negro girl Slave, Judy, one Negro boy Slave, Simon, one Negro boy Child Slave, Billey, & one Negro Girl Slave, Polly.

To be equally divided between James Williams & Washington Williams when James Williams comes of age.  If either of them should die before that period, their Dividend Quota shall be divided between the sons & daughters of the late Col. James Williams, deceased, then alive.  (No Witnesses) Signed Joseph Griffin, Mary Griffin.  Recorded 24 June 1788.

Deed Book C, Page 312, 15 Mar 1790, Joseph Griffin (Laurens Co.) in consideration of 35 pounds Sterling sell unto James Goodman (Newberry Co.) a certain Negro man named Will, about 35 years of age, native of Africa, about 5 ft, 4 or 5 in high, well set.  Witness John Trotter, Thomas Wadsworth.  Signed Joseph Griffin.  Witness oath John Trotter 5 Aug 1790 to John Hunter J. P.  Recorded 9 Mar 1791.

(Laurens County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Books A-D, 1785-1793, pages 57, 60, 119, Compiled by Larry Vehorn)

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Casner Family Tree, page 1, Contact: Em Wendel; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Sarah Griffin Williams ‘1778-1849’ – Find a Grave Memorial—Google; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Leitner, Kogl, Prideaux & Threlkel Families, page 1, Contact: Mary K. Leitner)

 

Laurens County, South Carolina, Court Minutes 1786-1789, 8 June 1789, “Ordered that Lewis Saxon pay unto Joseph Griffin the sum of 2 pounds, it being the balance due him for building the County bridge over Little River.”  Records of the Laurens County Court December 17, 1789, refer to Joseph Griffin as an executor of the estate of James Williams.

Several databases list the Williams-Nance Cemetery as the burial place of Mary Clarke Williams Griffin.  The fact that her children: Elizabeth Williams Tinsley, wife of Capt. James Tinsley, (1769–1807); James Williams, husband of Ruth Lowery, (January 18, 1774—August 13, 1833; Mary Williams, wife of James Atwood Williams, (October 8, 1776–October 13, 1815) and Washington Williams, husband of Sarah Griffin, (August 22, 1777– June 24, 1829) were all buried in this cemetery seems to indicate that they wanted to be buried near their mother.  The preponderance of evidence indicates that Mary Clarke Williams Griffin was buried in the Williams-Nance Cemetery.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Descendants of Nathaniel Williams, page 1, Contact: Deb; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Casner Family Tree, page 1, Contact: Em Wendel; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Some Families of Upstate SC, page 1, Contact: Wayne Steiffe; Family Cemeteries, Laurens County, S. C., Vol. II, pages 94-95, by Col. James Leland Bolt and Margaret Eltinge Bolt)

 

Sarah Williams, James and Mary Williams’ daughter, was born in 1770, and married John Griffin.  Sarah and John Griffin moved to Marshall County, Alabama, where John died in 1837.  At ninety years of age Sarah was living in the household of her son, Washington Griffin, in Guntersville, Alabama, in 1860.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Lynda Smith’s Family Tree, page 1, Contact: Lynda Smith)

Elizabeth Williams Tinsley married James Tinsley, son of Isaac  Tinsley Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth Golding.   He was a patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War and reached the rank of captain.  Although he was taken prisoner, he was saved by a friend in the massacre at Haye’s Station and later escaped.  They had two sons and three daughters.  (Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 934, by Bobby Gilmer Moss)

Two of the children of Mary Clarke Williams married a son and daughter of Richard and Nancy Ann Clarke Griffin.  Richard was the brother of Mary’s second husband, Joseph Griffin.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Lynda Smith’s Family Tree, page 1, Contact: Lynda Smith; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: George Washington Bell, page 1, Contact: Machelle Johnson)
The first burial in the Williams-Nance Cemetery was probably the interment of Mrs. Mary Wallace, the mother of Mary Williams Griffin, circa 1790.  Her grave was possibly marked several years after her death.  The cemetery is three miles from White Plains in Laurens County, S. C., near Mountville.

Joseph Griffin, Mary’s second husband, was possibly buried in this cemetery in an unmarked grave in 1791.  Mary was probably buried here in an unmarked grave in 1804.  It seems that she would have desired to be interred, where her mother was buried.

The inscription on Mary Clarke Williams Memorial Stone reads:

“Mrs. Mary Williams, widow of the hero of Kings Mountain, Revolutionary War, Col. James Williams.”

“Mrs. Williams was left with 8 small children.  The Tories took possession of her house and most of her property after the death of Col. Williams, and drove her out with her little children, forcing them to abandon their home and all their comforts.  She had to take shelter in an outhouse a few miles off.  When the Tories were forced to leave, they burned down her mill, houses and many other valuables.”

“On Oct. 1781 at Hays Station, her two oldest sons, Daniel and Joseph, were murdered in cold blood by the Tories, just twelve months after the death of her husband and some years after that her oldest son, John, was supposed to be poisoned while on a visit to Virginia, and although she encountered many troubles, hardships and loses, through the assistance of a Kind Providence and great energy she succeeded in raising the balance of her children well and seeing them respectably married and settled near her.  About 180? (4) she died.”

“This tombstone is placed by her grandsons.”

Mary was only married to Joseph Griffin for about three years before his death in 1791. Several years later, the grandsons placed the above memorial possibly over the grave of Mary.   They did not mention Mary’s second husband, probably because they wanted to honor their grandfather and grandmother with the memorial stone.

(Family Cemeteries, Laurens County, S. C., Vol. II, pages 94-95, by Col. James Leland Bolt and Margaret Eltinge Bolt)

 

DANIEL WILLIAMS and ANNA HENDERSON WILLIAMS had the following children: Samuel, Daniel Jr., Joseph, Richard, William, Davis, Betsy, Nancy, Nutty and Polly Washer Williams.  (RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Tree, Contact: Belle Johnson)

Daniel Williams Jr. was a Patriot officer in the American Revolutionary War.  He was often confused with his nephew, Capt. Daniel Williams, son of Col. James Williams.

Bobby Gilmer Moss, in his book, South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 994, states that Capt. Daniel Williams, son of Col. James Williams, served in the militia before and after the fall of Charleston and as a lieutenant and captain under Col.  (Lemuel) Benton and General (Francis) Marion.

The writer believes that this has reference to the service of Capt. Daniel Williams Jr., husband of Anna Henderson Williams.  Col. (Brigadier General) James Williams’ son was not old enough to have fought before the fall of Charleston and would have fought with his father, not with General Francis Marion.

The Reverend J. D. Bailey, in his book, History of Grindal Shoals, pages 74-75, wrote:  “A party of four or five Tories went to the house of Daniel Jackson, west of Fairforest to plunder.  One of them took up as much as he could carry.  Miss Nancy Jackson kicked him down as he descended the steps.

He told her he would send the Hessian troops the next day.  She ran off and gathered five other girls and came to Aunt Potters (Williams) that night, a distance of nine miles.”

Capt. Daniel Williams, son of Col. James Williams, was only seventeen, when he fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain under his father.  He was a member of the Little River Militia.  He was there when his father died.

In the book, The Patriots at Kings Mountain, page 269, Bobby Gilmer Moss lists information about Capt. Daniel Williams, the son of Col. James Williams, giving his birth date as 1763.

In the addenda to his book, he lists men who possibly served in the Battle of the Kings Mountain Campaign.  In this listing is the name of Daniel Williams.  This was possibly Capt. Daniel Williams, brother of Col. James Williams.

Elizabeth F. Ellet in her book, The Women of the American Revolution, Vol. I, pages 295-296, wrote: “When Tarleton was on his march against (Daniel) Morgan, just before their encounter at the Cowpens, a party of loyalist came to the place where Mrs. Potter (Williams) lived, and committed some depredations.  (She was Mrs. Daniel Williams at this time.)

They burned the straw covering from a rude hut, in which the family lodged, while a relative ill of the small-pox occupied the house.  Mrs. Potter (Williams) and her children had built this lodge of rails, for their temporary accommodation.  (This could have been her husband, Daniel Williams, ill with the small-pox, for he died shortly after this.)

The soldiers attempted to take off her wedding-ring, which, as it had been worn for years, became imbedded under the skin, in the effort to force it from her finger.  They swore that it should be cut off, but finally desisted from the attempt.

In her Traditions of the Revolutionary War, Angelica Mitchell Nott, wrote: “I heard the noise of the battle of Cowpens.  My aunt (Anna Henderson Williams) and I had gone to milk; a noise like the burning of a cane-break commenced.  My aunt (Anna Williams) said, ‘There the action was commenced.’  We got on the fence and remained till 12 o’clock, without milking or breakfast, or thinking of it once.”

Elizabeth F. Ellet, on page 296 of her book, wrote: “Mrs. Potter (Anna Henderson Williams) was visited by the famous Tory, Colonel (William) Cunningham commonly called ‘Bloody Bill Cunningham’, on one occasion, with a party of two hundred and fifty men.  They arrived after dark; and as green corn happened to be in season, encamped by one of her fields, fed their horses with the corn, built fires with the rails and roasted the ears for themselves.  At that time, the family lived chiefly on roasted corn, without bread, meat or salt.”

She received the above information from Mrs. Angelica Mitchell Nott, who was still living when the book was published in 1848.

Databases list two possible dates for the death of Capt. Daniel Williams, husband of Anna Henderson Williams, 1781 or 1782.  The writer believes that he died in 1781.  (RootsWeb’s Williams—DNA—L—Group 9—Re: Daniel Williams/Ursula Clark—Page 1, Contact: Geraldine  Williams)

“There is an old grandfather clock in possession of a descendant, (when this was typed in the 1970s it was H. M. Williams of Winnsboro, Texas), which has been handed down in the Williams family for generations bearing the inscription: ‘Bought by H. D. Williams on May 17, 1757’, and as it is passed from one to another the name and date is added.  Purchaser was Capt. Daniel Williams, who married Anne Henderson in 1755.”

(RootsWeb: SCREENW-L Williams of VA to SC-including Davis Williams m. Abigail Nicholson, page 3)

 

It appears to the writer that Daniel and Anna’s children gravitated, after their father’s death, to Laurens District, S. C., to be near their father’s brother, John.   He was born at Old Fork Church, Hanover County, Virginia, November 4, 1737.

John had moved his family from Granville County, North Carolina, to the Little River section of Laurens District, S. C., near Mudlick Creek, circa 1771/72.  His brother, James Henderson Williams, moved to Mudlick Creek in 1773.

John Williams’ wife, Mary Atwood, was born circa 1740, in Amelia County, Virginia.  Several databases list her father’s name as James.  They married March 16, 1759, in Amelia County, Virginia.

Mary, John’s wife, died circa 1781, in Laurens District, S. C., while he was still serving as a patriot soldier in the American Revolutionary War.  (RootWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Contact, Karen Mikula)

“During the Revolutionary War, John and his family were members of the Little River Presbyterian Church.”

He was a member of the Provincial Congress that met in Charleston on January 11, 1775.

They had three sons and three daughters.  Mary was related to Mary Elizabeth Forrest, wife of James Caldwell.  (Maj. John Williams ‘1737-1794’—Find A Grave Memorial—Goggle)

Bobby Gilmer Moss, in his book, South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 996, wrote: “John Williams served as a captain in the First Regiment during 1780.  In addition, he served as a major in the militia and was held prisoner at Ninety Six and Charleston from 2 June to 10 September 1782.”

In the book, Laurens & Newberry Counties, S. C., Saluda and Little River Settlements, page 12, by Jesse Hogan Motes III and Margaret Peckham Motes is found the following:

“John Williams, of Ninety Six District, was a merchant and son of Daniel.  He acquired six hundred fifty acres on Mudlick Creek through two grants in 1772 and 1774.  Between 1771 to 1773, he purchased another six tracts totaling eleven hundred acres on the waters of Mudlick Creek, and was among the largest land owners in the area during this period.”

Anna Henderson Williams’ children probably began to move into Laurens District to be near their uncle, John Williams, circa 1784, after Anna was married a second time to Adam Potter.  (RootsWeb: Williams-L-Daniel & Anne Henderson Williams, Contact: Skip Williams—Google)

John and Mary Atwood Williams’ son, Duke, kept a tavern in Laurens District, S. C., starting in 1787, but moved in 1789, to Edgefield, S. C., to be near his father.  Duke probably managed his father’s store and property after John moved to Edgefield, S. C.  He continued in this capacity until he moved to Edgefield himself.  (Maj John Williams ‘1737-1794’—Find A Grave Memorial, Contact: Milisia Weldon—Google)

Duke’s brother, James Atwood Williams, married Mary Williams, daughter of General James and Mary Ersula Clarke Williams.  She was his first cousin.  He remained in Laurens District, S. C., and died January 6, 1816.  He was probably buried in an unmarked grave in the Williams—Nance Cemetery.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Jimison and Related Families of Western North Carolina, page 1, Contact: Richard Davis)

Duke’s sister, Elizabeth, married Lieutenant William Thomas Caldwell and remained in Newberry District, S. C. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: kymmed, Contact: Kimberly McDonnell;

Bobby Gilmer Moss in his book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 136, wrote: “He (William Caldwell) served as a lieutenant under his brother, Capt. John Caldwell.  In addition, he was at the battles of Fort Charlotte, Fort Moultrie, and was taken prisoner at the fall of Charleston.  After being released at St. Augustine, he was at the battle of Cowpens.”

John Williams had moved to Edgefield District, S. C., circa 1785, and a part of the children of DANIEL and ANNA HENDERSON WILLIAMS, followed him to Edgefield.

After arriving in Edgefield, he met and married Anna Maria Gooch Minter, widow of Joseph Minter, and daughter of John and Mary West Gooch, after 1785.  She was born circa 1734, in Caroline County, Virginia, and her first husband, Joseph Minter, son of Anthony and Elizabeth Morgan Minter, was born there circa 1730.

Joseph and Anna were married in Caroline County, Virginia, circa 1760.  He died in Abbeville County, S. C., in 1783.  Joseph and Anna Maria had five daughters and one son.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: a lotta families, Contact: Susan; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: EADY-MURRAY ANCESTRY, Contact: Melissa Murray; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Dyer, Martin, McCoy, Miner Family Tree Update, Contact: William Martin)

 

She had no children by John Williams, who died in Edgefield, S. C., in 1794.  His will was probated October 14, 1794, in Edgefield.  Databases state that he was buried at the Williams/Caldwell Cemetery at Mudlick Creek in Laurens District.  (Maj John Williams ‘1737-1794’ – Find a Grave Memorial, Contact: Milisia Weldon, Google)

Anna Maria died in 1802, in Edgefield, S. C.  Her will was written September 6, 1802, and probated on November 18, 1802.  Four of her living children and some of her grandchildren were mentioned in the will.  (Source: Edgefield County Old Wills, Book  A-B, 1787-1806, Vol. 1, compiled by  Mrs. Frances Terry Ingmire)

From the article, Grindal Shoals On The Pacolet, by Miss Addie Sims, republished in The Gaffney Ledger, Gaffney, S. C., June 8,       1918, page 3, is found the following: “Mrs. Potter’s (Anna Henderson Williams Potter’s) agility in the execution of the forty-nine steps of ‘Old Roger de Coverly,’ was the admiration of the country.”

SAMUEL WILLIAMS, son of Daniel and Anna Henderson Williams, was born circa 1756 (1755, cannot be correct), in Granville County, N. C.  He married Frances Catherine Goode Martin Edwards, a widow, and daughter of Mackerness and Sarah Hendrick Goode.  They married in Edgefield, S. C., circa 1788 (first child born Jan. 10, 1789).

(RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: The Ouzts Family in America, Contact: H. C. Ouzts)

 

Databases do not give the name of her second husband, but list their child as, Thomas Edwards, born circa 1787, in Abbeville, S. C.  She was born in North Carolina, circa 1758.  Samuel and Susan Catherine Goode Williams had two sons: John Goode Williams and Williamson Williams.  (RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: A Goode American Family, Contact: David Goode)

He was a major creditor to his first cousin, Duke Williams, and his indebtedness was mentioned in the settlement of Duke’s estate in 1797.   (Early Descendants of John Williams, ‘The Wealth Welshman’ of Hanover County, Virginia, Born 1679, Langollen, Wales, page 9, Google)

Samuel died in 1802, and his wife, Catherine, and his brother, Joseph, were selected as administrators of his estate on July 5, 1802.

Edgefield District, S. C., Box 99, Pack 2433, Nov. 2, 1802, “Paid Richard Williams $ 5,183.00.  Inventory made by William & James Watson, Richard Henderson.  Buyers at the sale included Shadrick Henderson, Cresswell Moore, John Goode, Joseph Williams, Richard Williams.”

Apparently, Catherine died shortly after this, for on March 7, 1803, Joseph, his brother, was chosen guardian of their son, Williamson.  Lew Goode became guardian of Williamson in 1804, for Joseph had died in that year.  Williamson Williams was listed as a minor nephew of Lew Goode in his 1812 will.

Samuel’s brothers: Joseph and Richard were buyers of the estate.
Joseph, his brother, listed an account “against the estate of Samuel Williams and other obligations on sundry persons, which including said account in the whole (and) amounts to $3,085.40, being the full amount of the sale bill of Samuel Williams.”

“On October 2, 1804, Allan Goode, James Gowdy and James McCracken gave bond of $10,000.00 unto Andrew Hamilton Ordinary for Abbeville District for administration of Samuel Williams’ estate.  Lew Goode was next of kin.”

(RootsWeb: WILLIAMS-DNA-L-Re: ‘WILLIAMS-DNA’ Joseph Williams-1803-SC, pages 1 & 2—Google)

 

JOSEPH WILLIAMS, son of Daniel and Anna Henderson Williams, died in Laurens District, S. C., in 1804.  He lived near his uncle, John Williams, in the Little River section of Laurens District near Mudlick Creek before John moved to Edgefield District, S. C.  Joseph, Anna’s son, lived and died in Laurens District.  From his will it is ascertained that he was a very prosperous farmer.

He apparently did not marry.  He left his slave, Moses, to his brother, Davis; his slave boy, Ben, to Jacky Williams (out of wedlock son of his sister, Nancy); his slave, Joe, and all his books to his nephew, Joseph Farrow; his lands to be sold and proceeds given to Jackey Williams, Joseph Farrow and Williamson Williams (son of Samuel Williams).

Joseph left a slave, Ransom, to John Caldwell, son of James and Elizabeth Caldwell.  “For their friendship and Hospitable treatment shown by James & Elizabeth Caldwell to me since I have been a citizen of this state, I give to them my large family Bible, and medical book by Buchanan of Edenborough.”

James Caldwell, son of William and Rebecca Parks Walkup Caldwell, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Forrest, were special friends of Joseph Williams.  (Joseph Williams Will and Probate, pages 1-3, Google)

James Caldwell was born at Cub Creek, Charlotte County, Virginia, on July 8, 1755, on the day of the Battle of Monongahela, Baddock’s Defeat.  (Sheriff’s of Newberry, Newberry County, South Carolina—Google)

After the death of his father, William, in 1761, he moved to South Carolina, with his mother, Rebecca Park Caldwell, and other members of his family circa 1770 or before.  They lived in the Little River community between Mudlick and Mill Creek in Newberry District, S. C., first called Ninety Six District.

(Family Tree Maker’s Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Alexander of Caldwell, page 2, Google)

 

He continued to reside with his mother and did not join the Patriot Militia until 1780.  J. B. O’Neall in his book, Annals of Newberry, pages, 283-287, stated: “After the siege of Charleston he (Captain James Caldwell) commanded the company of militia in the neighborhood, where he lived (Little River Militia).

On the 17th January, 1781, he commanded a company in the battle of Cowpens.  He was then under the command of General (Francis) Pickens.  Captain James Caldwell was cut down by a dragoon.  His hands were severely mutilated in the attempt to protect his head.   He had many sabre wounds in his head, and one blow took effect immediately below his right eye, on the cheek bone, leaving a scar and hump which disfigured his face as long as he lived.

He was supposed to be dead, and after the action, was sought for by his brother, William, among the slain.  He was found still alive, and suffering more for water than his many wounds.  This, his brother brought to him in his hat.

His wounds were bound up with strips torn from his brother’s shirt, which was devoted to that purpose.  He was then removed to a neighboring house, and after many weeks of suffering, recovered.  He was thus incapacitated from active service.”

He married Mary Elizabeth Forrest, daughter of George and Frances Atwood Forrest, in 1784, after his war experiences.  She was born in 1764, at Nottoway Parrish, Amelia County, Virginia.  They had six sons and four daughters.

(James Caldwell–Elizabeth Mary Forrest: page 1, Google; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: SHULERS and others)

 

James Caldwell and James Atwood Williams, son of John and Mary Atwood Wiliams, played a significant part in the hanging of Loyalist, Matthew Love, one of ‘Bloody William Cunningham’s’ men in the bloody scout.  William Cunningham had shot and killed his brother, Capt. John Caldwell.  (Annals of Newberry, by J. B. O’Neall, pages
243-244, 284)

He served one term as a member of the S. C. State House of Representatives and in 1807, was elected Sheriff of Newberry District and served a four year term.  (J. B. O’Neall in his book, Annals of Newberry, page 287)

J. B. O’Neall in his book, Annals of Newberry, page 287, wrote: “He united with the Little River Presbyterian Church, and was a devout and exemplary member of it till his death in 1813.

Few men, in any country, were as deservedly popular as James Caldwell.  Enemies he had none.  Everybody conceded that Uncle Jimmy Caldwell, as he was called, was like Bayard, without spot and blemish.

As a husband, father, master, neighbor and friend, he was all which those relations could demand.”

In the settlement of JOSEPH WILLIAMS’ estate, papers indicated that James Caldwell held a note from Joseph Williams for $415.50. (RootsWeb: SCEDGEFI-L re Davis Williams ‘b. ca 1764’ md Abigail Nicholson ‘b. ca 1766), page 3)

James Caldwell’s sister, Martha, married Patrick Calhoun, and they lived in Abbeville District, S. C.  JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN was their son.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: John Caldwell Calhoun 1871, page 1, Contact: Ralph Calhoun)

JOSEPH WILLIAM’S brothers, DANIEL and DAVIS, were executors of his estate as was JAMES CALDWELL, his friend.  His doctors in his last illness were Dr. John Nobel and Dr. James Moore.  His brother, DANIEL, was administrator of his father, DANIEL WILLIAMS’ estate.  (RootsWeb: SCEDGEFI-L re: Davis Williams ‘b. ca 1764’ md Abigail Nicholson ‘b. ca 1766’, page 3)

JOSEPH’S estate settlement was recorded in Vol. 2, of Newberry County, South Carolina, Probate Estate Abstracts (Probate Estate Boxes 11-25).   His Last Will & Testament was written December 2, 1803, and Proven July 20, 1804, in Laurens District, S. C.

DAVIS WILLIAMS, son of Daniel and Anna Henderson, was born circa 1764, in Granville County, North Carolina.  He was living in Grindal Shoals, S. C., when his father died.

(RootsWeb: WILLIAMS-L ‘WILLIAMS’ Daniel & Anne Henderson WILLIAMS, Page 1, Contact: Skip Williams; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: A Goode American Family, page 1, Contact: David Goode)

 

After his father died, DAVIS moved to Laurens District, S. C., and then to Edgefield District, S. C., to be near his UNCLE JOHN WILLIAMS.   He moved to Edgefield in 1785, with his uncle.

In 1790, Davis married ABIGAIL NICHOLSON, daughter of David Nicholson and Rhoda Whitehead Nicholson, in Edgefield District, S. C.  Abigail was born in 1766, in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Nicholson Family, page 1, Contact: G Bull; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: French, York and Related Families, page 1, Contact: Greg French)

 

DAVIS and ABIGAIL’S children were: Martha, Mary, Rhoda, Frances, Anne, David, Abigail, Jonathan Dawson, and Thomas Jefferson Williams.  MARTHA married JONATHAN STRINGER, and their son, DAVIS STRINGER, was a Baptist pastor.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: HEZEKIAH NOBLES, Page 1, Contact: Robert N. Minsky; RootsWeb: SCGREENW-L Williams of VA to SC – including Davis Williams m. Abigail Nicholson, page 3)

 

DAVIS WILLIAMS, son of Daniel and Anna Henderson Williams, died in Edgefield District, S. C., on January 29, 1829.  His wife, ABIGAIL, died October 8, 1843, in Whitefield, Harris County, Georgia.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: A Goode American Family, page 1, Contact: David Goode; RootsWeb: WILLIAMS-DNA-L Fw ‘Scedgefi’ WILLIAMS OF VA to SC – including Davis, page 3, Contact: Catherine Cooper)

 

FRANCES ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, daughter of Daniel and Anna Henderson Williams, was born May 4, 1773, in the Grindal Shoals community of Union District, S. C. (ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WILLIAMS? Family Tree of JOHN & MARY KEELING WILLIAMS, page 2)

FRANCES married DAVID RICHARDSON, son of Amos and Mary Elizabeth Peterson Richardson, in 1791, in Edgefield District, S. C., where He was born on March 3, 1767.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Lonand T. Whisler, page 1)

They had nine children, four sons and five daughters.  Their children were: Charlotte, Amos, Claracy, Jefferson, Susannah, Mary, Benjamin, Elizabeth, and James Madison Richardson.  (Frances Elizabeth Williams, page 1—Google)

FRANCES ELIZABETH died August 14, 1821, at Fruit Hill, Saluda County, S. C., and DAVID died there on January 27, 1844.  (Thomas Peterson and Abigail Richardson, page 2, Google)

They were buried in Richardsonville at “the old cemetery now very much neglected, but still a beautiful spot.  The original road led by the graveyard and was the main highway from Cappells to Johnston by way of Saluda Court House.”  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Hodgens—Armstrong—Casey—Adams and Allied Families, Contact: Wendy Leon)

Daniel and Anna Henderson Williams had a DAUGHTER, unknown, who married WILLIAM FARROW.  She must have been either MARY (POLLY) WILLIAMS or NUTTIE WILLIAMS.  They had several children.  Her son, JOSEPH, was included in his UNCLE JOSEPH WILLIAM’S will.

(Joseph Williams Will and Probate, page 3, Contact: Carolyn Waldon, Google)

 

After her husband, DANIEL, died in 1781, ANNA HENDERSON WILLIAMS married ADAM POTTER, son of THOMAS POTTER and his first wife (name unknown), in 1784.   ADAM was born in England before 1733.

THOMAS POTTER was born in England circa 1710.  He probably immigrated to this country in 1746.

THOMAS and his first wife were born in England.  He purchased 400 acres of land on both sides of Pigg River, in Halifax County, Virginia, from Lewis Jenkins on July 17, 1766.

His first wife died before April 1, 1766, before he purchased the above land.   They had seven sons and one daughter.  All of their children were born in England, except Thomas Potter, Jr., who was born in Virginia, on May 16, 1746.

He sold his land on Pigg River to Lewis Jenkins on June 24, 1768, “except one Acre for a burying yard, where my wife is now buried.”

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: MY EASTERN KENTUCKY FAMILY AND MUCH MORE, pages & 2, Contact: Bonnie Gay Christensen)

 

He married MARY NANCY JUSTICE GREEN, daughter of John and Mary Moore Justice, and widow of George William Green, circa 1771, in Halifax County, Virginia.  He purchased land on Green River in Tryon County, N. C., on June 4, 1773, later a part of Rutherford County, N. C.

His second wife, MARY, was born in Hanover, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, on July 27, 1729.  Thomas died in Rutherford County, N. C., in 1788, and his second wife also died in Rutherford County (date unknown).  They had two sons: Royal and William Potter.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Ancestors of Michael Justice, Contact: Michael Justice)

 

ADAM POTTER, his oldest child, was living in Carroll (Grindal) Shoals by 1773, or before.  On October 3, 1773, he witnessed a transaction between Joab Mitchell of Ninety Six District, S. C., and Susannah Bullock of Granville, N. C., daughter of Len Henly Bullock.

Len Henly Bullock purchased Susannah, his six year old daughter, 300 acres on both sides of the Pacolet River near Carroll (Grindal) Shoals from Joab Mitchell.  The land was adjacent to John Grindal’s line.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, page 59, by Brent Holcomb)

 

In the book, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 782, by Bobby Gilmer Moss, is found the following account of Adam Potter’s service as a Patriot soldier:

“He served one hundred ninety-five days as a horseman under Col. (Benjamin) Roebuck during 1780.  In addition, he served under Colonel (Thomas) Brandon during 1779 and 1782.”

Henry Machean Wood, son and heir of James Wood, sold 500 acres of land to Adam Potter on March 21, 1785.  This property was on the south side of Pacolet River.  The land was originally granted to Robert McWhorter.  Adam sold this land to John and William Easterwood on November 22, 1788.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, pages 72-73, Brent Holcomb)

 

Adam Potter of Union District, S. C., sold 684 acres of land in Spartanburg and Union districts to Nehemiah Norton of Henry County, Virginia, on July 28, 1788.  The land included the plantation where Charles Burton was living.  He sold the land for 150 pounds, Virginia money.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 119, by Brent H. Holcomb)

 

Jesse Austin of Spartanburg District, S. C., purchased 100 acres on the north side of the Pacolet River from Adam Potter, Union District, S. C. on December 20, 1788.  The transaction included improvements, and stated that Jacob Green had formerly lived there.

(Spartanburg County / District, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Books A-T, pages 31-32, by Albert Bruce Pruitt)

 

In his History of Grindal Shoals, pages 83-84, Rev. J. D. Bailey wrote: “He (Adam Potter) and his brother-in-law, Maj. John Henderson, went down to Pea Ridge, or elsewhere, and drank very freely of liquor.  Riding towards home after nightfall, they came to the parting of the ways.  They dismounted for one more drink before they separated.

When they remounted, Potter got up on Henderson’s horse, and Henderson on Potter’s horse, and each horse went to its own home, carrying the riders.  Mrs. Henderson (Sarah Hinton Alston) was a terror, and Henderson expected anything but a peaceful reception, but when he arrived, to his great surprise, he was kindly received,  the horse put up, and the best of attention given to him.

When put in bed, he inquired if he had not arrived in heaven.  The secret of it was that he had fallen into the hands of his sister instead of those of Mrs. Henderson.

Potter on the other hand, supposed that he was nearing home, began to yell like a savage and to order his wife to put up his horse.  To his astonishment he was met with a storm of invective from Mrs. Henderson that soon put a quietness on him.”

On June 16, 1789, Adam Potter purchased three tracts of land from Francis Bremar: (1) 100 acres, part of a 200 acre tract granted to Jacob Green in 1771; (2) 200 acres originally granted to John Kirkonnell in 1771; (3) 435 acres, part of a tract originally granted to Angelica Mitchell (600 acres).  Bremar purchased the land from the Commissioners of the Loan Office on April 2, 1789.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 102, by Brent Holcomb)

 

On May 22, 1792, Adam Potter purchased 300 acres from Richard Bullock of Warren County, N. C., by power of attorney for John Taylor and Susannah (Bullock), his wife.  The land was originally granted to Joab Mitchell on September 23, 1766, by Mecklenburg County, N. C., and purchased for Susannah by her father, Len Bullock in 1773.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 106, by Brent Holcomb)

 

Adam Potter of Union District, S. C., sold William Reed of Spartanburg District, S. C., 100 acres on Clark’s Mill Creek on February 18, 1793.  John Lyle and Angelica Mitchell witnessed the transaction.

(Spartanburg County / District, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Books A-T, page 157, by Albert Bruce Pruitt)

 

On April 1, 1793, Adam Potter signed the bond for Benjamin Haile to replace his father, John, as Clerk of Court in Union District, S. C.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 122, by Brent H. Holcomb)

 

Adam Goudelock, a Union District, S. C., planter, wrote his will on December 4, 1793, and Adam Potter, John Beckham Jr. and Sion Clanton were his witnesses.  It was proven in open court by Adam Potter Esq.

(Union County, South Carolina, Will Abstracts, 1787-1849, pages 36-37, by Brent Howard Holcomb)

 

Adam Potter, on June 11, 1794, appointed Thomas Stribling Jr., his lawful attorney to demand negro boy, Harry, nine years old.  Angelica Mitchell and Reuben Saunders were his witnesses.

(Union County, South Carolina, Will Abstracts, 1787-1840, page 19, by Brent Howard Holcomb)

Richard Kirby purchased 120 acres of land from Adam Potter on December 6, 1794.  The property was on (Clark’s) Mill Creek, a branch of Pacolet River in Union and Spartanburg Districts.  It was adjacent to Reeds shop.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Deed Books, A-F, page 151, by Brent Holcomb)

 

Adam signed the bond for John Henderson, when he was appointed  sheriff on April 7, 1795.

(Union County, South Carolina, Will Abstracts, 1787-1849, page 22, by Brent Howard Holcomb)

 

From 1795 to 1798, or before, Adam Potter served as a Justice of the Peace in the Grindal Shoals area.

Adam was a practicing attorney.  On August 10, 1799, he served as attorney for Richard Bullock in a land transaction in the 
Tyger River section of Spartanburg District, S. C.  (Spartanburg County/District, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Books A-T, 1785-1828, by Albert Bruce Pruitt, page 178)

One has to wonder if perhaps Adam Potter received his legal training from Abraham Nott.  Several accounts indicate that he was also a bondsman for those in trouble with the law.

Adam Potter of Union District, S. C., sold 100 acres to Richard Kirby for $100.00, on March 29, 1797.  This was a part of 600 acres originally granted to Angelica Mitchell on Mill Creek at Easterwood’s Mill Pond.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 196, by Brent H. Holcomb)

 

Adam Potter sold 50 acres to John Kirby on Mill Creek adjacent to Easterwood’s on a line between John and Richard Kirby.  This transaction took place on March 30, 1797.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 196, by Brent H. Holcomb)

 

Abraham Nott purchased a tract of 100 acres of land on Pacolet River from Adam Potter on April 3, 1797.  The land was adjacent to Adam Potter’s land and land granted to John Henderson, now belonging to Abraham Nott.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 197, by Brent H. Holcomb)

 

Adam Potter first lived on his property near Easterwood’s Mill Pond.  He sold this land in 1799.  He probably received grants for this acreage from the state of North Carolina.

On April 19, 1799, he divided this land into three parts and sold 124 acres to Francis Kirby.  Francis’ land joined his old place on a branch of  (Clark’s) Mill Creek called Nixes Fork.  He sold a 176 acre tract of land to William Kirby that included part of his old place at Easterwood’s Mill Pond and sold a tract of 100 acres to Boling Kirby, including his old place (plantation).

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 254, by Brent H. Holcomb)

 

This was the land, where he lived, even after he married Anna Henderson Williams in 1784.  He began construction of a “beautiful plantation” on the land he purchased in 1792.  He was “a fine brick mason” and builder.  He built the chimney that stood to General William Henderson’s house.  (History of Grindal Shoals, page 84, by Rev. J. D. Bailey.

William Easterwood purchased 100 acres of land on the south side of the Mill Pond adjacent Lyle’s line from Adam Potter on October 14, 1799.  The transaction was witnessed by Abraham Nott and Jesse Mabry.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. II, Books G-K, page 160, by Brent H. Holcomb)

 

Adam Potter wrote his will November 14, 1799.  John Henderson, Henry Fernandis and William Henderson witnessed the will.  It was proved May 9, 1801, by John Henderson and recorded at Union District Court House.

He left all of his property to his wife, Anna, during her natural life, and after her death it was to go to Abraham Nott.   He left his nephew, John Potter (son of Stephen and Jemima Green Potter), one horse, saddle and bridle and $100.00.  He left his sister, Milly, $150 to be paid after his wife’s death.  Jemima Potter, widow of his brother, Stephen, and her children were to receive $300.00 after his wife’s death.  Anna outlived Milly, Jemima and Abraham Nott.

(Union County, South Carolina, Will Abstracts, 1787-1648, pages 57-58, by Brent Howard Holcomb)

 

The Rev. J. D. Bailey, in his History of Grindal Shoals, pages 70-71, wrote: “He (Abraham Nott) acquired the beautiful plantation just above the shoals, previously owned by Adam Potter, his wife’s foster father.  This beautiful homestead is still known as the ‘Nott place’.”  Adam Potter left this plantation to his wife, Anna, and she probably sold it to Abraham Nott, shortly after the death of her husband in 1801.

Angelica Mitchell, daughter of Joab and Mary Henderson Mitchell, was born in Grindal Shoals in December of 1771.  She was not born on Sandy Run, but lived there with her foster parents, Daniel and Anna Henderson Williams.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Bird/Byrd-A Gathering of the Flock, page 1, Contact: Laura)

 

In the, Traditions of the Revolutionary War, by Angelica Mitchell Nott, page 73, of J. D. Bailey’s History of Grindal Shoals, she wrote: “My father was one of the first settlers in the country.  My mother was a Henderson, sister of Colonel William Henderson.  My father moved to Tennessee before the war.  I remained with my aunt, Mrs. Potter on Sandy Run.  I was related to the Beckhams.  Mrs. Beckham and my mother were sisters.”

For some unknown reason, when her father moved the family to Tennessee circa 1776, she was left with her aunt, Anna, and uncle, Daniel Williams.  She was nine years old when her foster father, Daniel, died.  She was twelve years old when her foster mother, Anna, was remarried to her second foster father, Adam Potter.

Abraham Nott, Angelica’s husband to be, was admitted to the bar in South Carolina in 1791, and began his law practice in Union District, S. C.

The Reverend J. D. Bailey, in his History of Grindal Shoals, wrote: “It was probably at this time that he (Abraham Nott) came to Grindal Shoals and lived in the house of John Chisholm and opened a law office there.  While at Grindal Shoals, David Johnson, afterwards Governor of South Carolina, William Henderson and probably others, read law under Mr. Nott.”

He purchased a ½ acre lot at Union Court House (lot No. 5) from William and Cassey Smith on February 26, 1793, and constructed an office building for his law practice.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 119, by Brent H. Holcomb)

 

In August of 1794, Angelica Mitchell, at twenty-two years of age, married Abraham Nott, son of Deacon Joab Nott and his wife, Zerviah Clark Nott.  He was born February 5, 1768, in Saybrook, Middlesex County, Connecticut, and was a twin of Josiah Nott. His grandfather, Abraham Nott, was a Congregational minister.  His grandmother was Phebe Tappan Nott.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: OUR FAMILIES, page 1, Contact: Fletcher)

 

On August 30, 1796, Abraham Nott purchased 178.6 acres, part of a 224 acre tract, from John Henderson.  It was on the branch of the Pacolet River road leading from Grindal Shoals, S. C., to Rich Hill. Here he built a house for his family.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 198, by Brent H. Holcomb)

 

He added 100 acres to his plantation on Pacolet River in 1797, which he purchased from Adam Potter.  An additional 12 acres was added to his plantation on May 16, 1798, which he purchased from John Henderson.

(Union County, South Carolina, Deed Abstracts, Vol. I, Books A-F, page 197, by Brent H. Holcomb)

 

William Blackstone Nott (1796-1864); Sarah Cellina Nott (1796-1824); Henry Junius Nott (1797-1837); Sophonista Nott (1800-1866); children of Abraham and Angelica Mitchell Nott, were all born in Grindal Shoals, S. C.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: OUR FAMILIES, Contact: Fletcher)

 

He was a member of the State House of Representatives from 1796-1797, and was elected as a Federalist to the Sixth United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1799, to March 3, 1801.  He represented South Carolina’s 4th District.  During his term he missed 23 of 96 roll call votes.  He was living in Grindal Shoals, S. C., at this time.

(Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Abraham Nott, Biographical Information, Google; Abraham Nott, former U. S. Representative for South Carolina 6th Congressional District – G, page 1—Google; Abraham Nott—Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, page 1, Google)

 

His student, DAVID JOHNSON, was admitted to the bar in 1803, and Abraham Nott made him an immediate partner in his Union Court House practice.  When Nott moved to Columbia, S. C., in 1804, David took over Nott’s law practice in Union District, S. C.

(Full Text of ‘Eulogy delivered on the occasion of the death of Hon. David Johnson at Unionville, S. C.’, by Col. T. N. Dawkins, page 3, Google)

 

Abraham Nott began the practice of law in Columbia, S. C., in 1804, and moved his family from Grindal Shoals in Union District, S. C., to Columbia, S. C.

Nott was elected as a member of the Board of Trustees of South Carolina College in 1805.  In 1807, he was chosen Intendant (Mayor) of Columbia, S. C.  He was elected Judge of the Circuit Court in 1810, and served in this position until his death.  He became President of the Court of Appeals in 1824.

(Abraham Nott, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Google)

 

Josiah Clark Nott (1804-1873); Selina E. Nott (1806-?); Maria Eliza Nott (1808-1830); James Eliphalet Nott (1810-1856); Rufus Abraham Nott (1812-1887); and Gustavus Adolphus Nott (1816-1869); children of Abraham and Angelica Mitchell Nott, were all born in Columbia, S. C.

Abraham and Angelica had six sons and four daughters.  Five of their sons were medical doctors.  Their other son, Henry Junius Nott, was one of the early professors in South Carolina College.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: OUR FAMILIES, page 1, Contact: Fletcher)

Their daughter, Sophonista, was first married to John Golding Esq. He was born in 1789, in Laurens District, S. C., the son of Anthony and Isabella Reid Golding.  He first married Clementina Brown of Laurens District.  She was born in 1791.  The Goldings lived in the Cross Hill section of Laurens District.

John and Clementina Brown Golding lived in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, where their son, John Reid Golding Jr., was born on December 20, 1811.  Clementina died September 9, 1819, in Athens, Georgia.  Their son, John Jr., became a Baptist pastor in Mississippi in 1844.

John Reid Golding Sr.’s second wife was Sophonista Nott.  They had one child, Margaret, who died in infancy at about the age of one.  He died July 5, 1724, and was buried in a marked grave in the Old Fairforest Presbyterian Cemetery.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Descendants of James Henry Guthrie, Contact: Steven;  Rootsweb’s World Connect Project: Rachel and Vanderburg Genealogy, Contact: Billie Rachel Vanderburg; Z 1855.000 Golding ‘John Reid II’ Letter, Mississippi Department of Archives & History; Union County Cemeteries, page 29, Compiled and Edited by Mrs. E. D. Whaley)

 

After the death of her husband, John Reid Golding, Sophonista Nott Goldling was married to a physician, Dr. Maurice Augustus Moore, son of Alexander and Mary Dorcas Erwin Moore.  She was his second wife. He was first married to Elizabeth Adeline Evalina Allison.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Robert Martin’s Family Records, Contact: Robert Martin; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: MFS  ROOTS, Contact: Marshall)

 

Their daughter, Celina Moore, married Dr. Thomas Sumter Means.  She wrote a novel entitled, “Thirty-Four Years”, about the reconstruction period in the South and also a reader for fifth grade students entitled, “Palmetto Stories”.  (Dr. T.  Sumter Means and Celina I. Moore – Means – Family History & Genealogy Message Board, page 1, Google)

In, A History of Glenn Springs Preservation Society (Google), page 2, is found the following:

“Cedar Grove plantation was the home of Dr. Maurice and Sophonista Nott Moore.  Dr. Moore led a group of 15 investors, who bought the Mineral Spring from John B. Glenn, and became the President of the company that built the first hotel.  In order to have a house in Glenn’s Spring, he moved Cedar Grove to Glenn Springs in 1837.

It is thought that Dr. Moore either purchased  (Cedar Grove) or received it as a gift from his father-in-law, Judge Abraham Nott, a prominent landowner in Union.”

Dr. Maurice Moore and his wife, Sophonista, were buried in the Old Fairforest Presbyterian Cemetery in marked graves.  (Union County Cemeteries, page 29, Compiled and Edited by Mrs. E. D. Whaley)

The South Carolina Historical Society has a letter that Judge Abraham Nott wrote to Judge David Johnson on March 16, 1830.  In the letter, Abraham Nott discusses his ill health and reminds Judge Johnson that the ‘time and order of the dockets of the upper circuits must be attended to’.  Nott also mentions a ‘commotion’ at the South Carolina College, which ended with a few students being expelled.  (Nott, Abraham ‘1768-1830’ Guide to Research Papers, page 1–Google)

Abraham and Angelica Nott’s daughter, Sarah Cellina, was living in their plantation house at Grindal Shoals, S. C., where she died  unmarried in 1824.  She was buried in the Old Fairforest Presbyterian Cemetery in a marked grave.  (Union County Cemeteries, page 29, Compiled and Edited by Mrs. E. D. Whaley)

Abraham Nott died June 1, 1830, in Fairfield District, S. C.  He was buried in the First Presbyterian Church cemetery in Columbia, S. C., in a marked grave.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: OUR FAMILIES, Contact: Fletcher)

In a History of Grindal Shoals, page 71, Rev. J. D. Bailey wrote:

“He (Judge Nott) left behind him a reputation for profound judicial learning, dignified courtesy and sterling integrity.  Judge Nott was described as a man ‘rather small in statue, of a delicate physical organism, but by extraordinary prudence, temperance and order in all things, he achieved an immense amount of brain work and was rarely absent from the post of duty.’

‘He was a man of very prepossessing manners and genial temperament.  Gifted with a rich vein of humor and a remarkable readiness at repartee, it was not strange that he shown conspicuously in the social circle.’”

Angelica remained in Columbia, S. C., until all of her children had reached maturity.  She had moved back to their plantation house in Grindal Shoals, S. C., by the early 1840s or before.  She moved to Limestone Springs, S. C., by 1846, to be near her oldest son, Dr. William Blackstone Nott.

The house, she purchased, was first owned and constructed by William Henry Gist, the first Limestone Springs banker, and later the secessionist governor of South Carolina in 1860.  William Norris purchased the house from Gist in the early 1840s, and sold it to Angelica.

William Norris and Governor David Johnson owned properties that connected or were near her lot.  David Johnson, her husband’s friend, served as governor of South Carolina from 1846-1848.  Angelica was living in Limestone Springs during this time.

Miss Addie Sims, in her History of Grindal Shoals on the Pacolet, republished in The Gaffney Ledger, June 2, 1918, wrote:  “Miss Angelica Mitchell, the wife of Mr. Abram Nott, later on Judge Nott, of Columbia, S. C., was a relative we were all very fond and proud of.  She was born and brought up here and lived the early years of her happy married life on Pacolet, and her first children were born here.

She was a woman of rare endowments, had a fine mind, far more than ordinary culture, a kindly and pleasant disposition, united to great energy, character, and a fortitude that seemed never to give way under the severest trials.  In my life, I have never known her superior and few who could compare with her in all the qualities that go to form the highest character of woman.”

Angelica died in 1849, in Limestone Springs, S. C., and was buried in the Old Fairforest Presbyterian Church Cemetery.  The slab that covers her grave has the following inscription: “To the memory of Angelica Nott, widow of the Hon. Abram Nott.  Her long life was marked by the full performance of her duties, to which she brought a pure heart and a high intellect, both being improved and developed in a remarkable degree.

Well read in books and trained by a diversified experience, she was a friend to be relied on, a companion to be delighted in, her conversation was rich, sparkling and racy.  From her intelligence and winning frame of mind, a predominating benevolence, honored and respected through life as a help-mate of a man of eminence and talents, as a widow, cherishing his memory and respecting his dignity, she died beloved and lamented on the 24th of June 1849, in the seventh-eight year of her age.”

Her funeral service was conducted by the Reverend John D. McCollough, an Episcopal priest, at the Old Fairforest Presbyterian Church Meeting House on June 28, 1849.  (Clerical Acts of Rev. John D. McCollough, Continued from Vol. VII, No. 4, Burials, page 1)

William Blackstone Nott, Angelica’s son, had an ad published in the Carolina Spartan in December of 1849, which read:

“House and Lot for Sale.  Will be sold to the highest bidder on the 1st of January (1850) in part of Clark and McArthur’s Store, at Limestone Springs, the House and Lot belonging to the estate of Angelica Nott, deceased.  The House contains four rooms and the Lot four acres of land with all the outbuildings thereon, necessary to the comfort of a small family.  Terms cash.”

Wilson Nesbitt owned lots on one corner of Thomson and O’Neall streets and Angelica Nott’s house was on the opposite corner.  (Joel Dean Jr. surveyed the lots in Limestone Springs Village in 1841 and resurveyed them in 1844)

After the death of ADAM POTTER in 1801, in Union District, S. C., Anna moved to Edgefield District, S. C., to be near some of her children.

Adam Potter was buried in a cemetery near his beautiful house.  The Reverend J. D. Bailey, in his History of Grindal Shoals, page 85, stated: “The Potter family are buried a few steps eastward from the yard.  They are in a straight row and were marked by small rough stones, some eight or ten inches high.  It is said that they are now plowed over.”

ANNA HENDERSON WILLIAMS POTTER died in Edgefield District, S.  C., in September of 1831, where she was buried.

 

Brothers Of Adam Potter

Adam Potter’s brother, BENJAMIN, was born in England, in 1733.  His wife, was JUDAH ?   .  He married her in England.  They had seven sons and three daughters.  Several of their sons were Patriot soldiers during the American Revolutionary War.  Benjamin and Judah’s sons fought with the Virginia Militia.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect  Project: Whitaker, pages 1 & 2, Contact: Fern Whitker)

Information in the Virginia Historical Magazine, Vol. 10, page 144, indicates that “Benjamin Potter was paid for a rifle gun and shot bag, taken by Capt. Tully Choice to aid General Green’s army in March or April of 1781.”

He spent his latter days in the state of Kentucky where he died in Lincoln County in 1823. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Easttons, Fuquas, and Smiths, page 1, Contact: Stephen)

Adam Potter’s brother, EPHRAIM, was born in England on March 10, 1743.  He first lived in Halifax County, Virginia, and probably moved to South Carolina, with his older brother, Adam, in 1773. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: MY EASTERN KENTUCKY FAMILY AND MUCH MORE, page 1& 2, Contact: Bonnie Gay Christensen)

He lived in what became Union District, S. C., (probably with his brother, Adam) and moved to Spartanburg District, S. C., where he married Sarah Corey, circa 1779.   She was born circa 1750.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Shadrach/Shadrack Martin, page 1, Contact: James D. Martin; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Betty Paysour, page 1, Contact: Betty)

 

He fought in the 2nd South Carolina Continentals under Lt. Col. Francis Marion until the Siege of Charleston in 1780.  He was a private.  After the fall of Charleston, he fought in the militia under General Francis Marion.

He fought under General Marion from February 10, 1777, through August 29, 1782, at the Battle of Fair Lawn.  He was with General Francis Marion at the Battle of Eutaw Springs on September 8, 1781.  From 1782, through November 16, 1783, he was under Captain Joseph Warley.  He drew 46 pounds for arrears of pay as a soldier on June 11, 1786.

For his services in the Revolutionary War, he was given a tract of land containing 200 acres on the branches of Thickety Creek and Pacolet River on January 26, 1789.

He, apparently, was friends, while living in the Thickety Creek area with George Turner and his son, James, for after they moved to the vicinity of Mayo, he also moved his family to that area.  He was a member of the Buck Creek Baptist Church.

(Ephraim Potter b. 0____ 1744 Mayo, Spartanburg Co., SC d. 0____1806 Spartanburg Co., SC. Th…Page 2-5)

 

He and Sarah had two children: Rufus Ephraim Potter, born 1781, and Tilman Potter, born 1791. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Shadrach/Shadrack Martin, page 1, Contact: James D. Martin)

Ephraim and his sons, Rufus and Tilman were skilled at masonry and cut many millstones from Island and other creeks.  They set up several grist mills: Cudds Creek; Maple Creek; Long Creek; Cassey Creek; and Island Creek. (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Betty Paysour, page 1, Contact: Betty)

Rufus married Sarah (Sally) Turner, daughter of George and Nancy Ann Anderson Turner.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: COMPTON’S PLACE OF GEORGIA CONNECTIONS AND MUCH MORE, PAGE 1, Contact: William Kerr)

Ephraim Potter died on June 11, 1806, in Spartanburg District, S. C., and Sarah Corey Potter died in the same district in 1830.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Towns Country Kith and Kin page 1, Contact: Jerry A. Taylor; The Hennessee Family Genealogical Pages—Google)

 

Adam Potter’s brother, STEPHEN, was born in England in 1744.  He married Jemima Green, daughter of George William and Mary Justice Green, circa 1768, in Halifax County, Virginia.  Jemima was born in 1748, in Virginia.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Williams, Soule, Bennet, Binyon, and related Families–Stephen Potter and Jemima Green, page 1-2, Contact: James P. Williams)

 

He, his wife and family, moved to South Carolina, with his older brother, Adam.  They first lived in Grindal Shoals, possibly with Adam.  Several of their children were born in Grindal Shoals.

He later lived in what became Laurens District, S. C., between present day Clinton and Cross Anchor, S. C.

He was a mounted soldier in General Andrew Pickens Brigade, serving from May 24, 1781, to January 14, 1782. (Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, page 782, by Bobby Gilmer Moss)

He and his wife had seven sons and five daughters.  He died in Laurens District, S. C., in 1797.  Jemima Green Potter died after 1820, in Laurens District.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: JWW Jr 1 JPW, page 1, Contact: Alice Williams; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect: Ancestors of Rachel Eric Potter, page 1, Contact: Shawn Potter)

Adam Potter’s youngest brother, THOMAS, was born in Henry County, Virginia, on May 26, 1746.  He was married three times.  His first wife was Diana Alsop, daughter of John Alsop, born circa 1745, in Goochland County, Virginia.  They were married July 31, 1763, in Goochland County.

They had nine sons and three daughters.  She died before 1801.

(RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Mountain Mamas, page 1, Contact: S. Griffith; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Alsop Family, Contact: David Alsup)

 

Thomas was living in Henry County, Virginia, during the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.  He was a private in Capt. William Moseley’s Company and later Capt. Thomas Moseley’s Company of the 7th Virginia Continental Regiment.

The regiment was first commanded by Col. Alexander McClanachan and later by Col. Daniel Morgan.  They were a part of General William Woodford’s division at Valley Forge, and he fought under him at the Battle of Monmouth Court House.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Malone, Hendrick & Many Others, page 1, Contact: James Maloney)

He married Susannah Shockley, the daughter of Levi and Rebecca Bolton Shockley, in Franklin County, Virginia, on January 5, 1801. She was born in Franklin County in 1782. Susannah died in Kentucky in Plano, Warren County, Kentucky, in 1806. (RootsWeb’s World Connect Project: Ancestors of Ron Long, page 1, Contact: Ron Long; RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Richard ‘Pete’ Brown Family Tree, page 1, Contact: Debra)

He married Ann McGee, daughter of Henry McGee, in Barren County, Kentucky, on October 18, 1810.  She was born circa 1792.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: Nash, Pence, Brockett & Beardsley, page 1, Contact: Richard)

Thomas Potter died in Warren County, Kentucky, on December 14, 1824.  (RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project: The Long Gray Line, page 1, Contact: Fletcher Gray)

 

Adam Potter’s Sister

MILLY POTTER, Adam Potter’s sister, came with her brother to Grindal Shoals, S. C., circa 1773.  She was born circa 1744, according to the databases.  She was included in her brother’s will and was to receive $150.00, after the death of his wife, Anna.  She was not married and remained in Union District the rest of her life.  She died after May 9, 1801.