Abbeville County SC

Abbeville County, located in the upstate region of South Carolina, was established in 1785, rooted deeply in the early history of the state and the broader Southern United States. The county played a pivotal role during the Revolutionary War, with the Battle of Abbeville being a significant event in its history. Its rich agricultural land, particularly suited for cotton cultivation, shaped its economy and society, influencing settlement patterns and the establishment of plantations. The Savannah River and its tributaries, such as the Saluda River, provided essential water sources and transportation routes, contributing to the county’s development. Abbeville County’s records, dating back to its establishment, are a treasure trove for genealogists, containing detailed information on census (1790+) land grants (1791+), slave schedules, wills (1772+), and other vital records (1911+) that reflect the complex history of its inhabitants, including European settlers, African American slaves, and free African Americans. In January and November of 1872, and again in January 1873, fires devastated the area, leaving behind only the records of the probate and equity courts intact. The area was originally inhabited by the Cherokee before European colonization. For those researching family histories in Abbeville County, the available records offer insights into the social, economic, and cultural dynamics that shaped the lives of its residents through centuries, making it a significant focus for genealogical studies in the South Carolina upstate.

Hackleman Family Record

This is a transcript of the first 31 pages of Elijah Hackleman’s Scrap book No. 2. The original is in the Wabash County Indiana Historical Museum. Although material of genealogical significance is to be found throughout the scrapbook, the material following deals with the Hackleman family. Michael Hackleman was born in Germany about the year 1720. He migrated to America in the seventeenth year of his age (1737) and was bound to a Maryland, or Pennsylvania farmer for three years to pay for his passage. He finally cleared twenty-six acres of land, and squared the account. He married Mary Sailors in March of 1751, and settled on the Susquehanna River, near the line of Pennsylvania and Maryland. He later in life moved to the Abbeville District, South Carolina where he died in 1808. His children were named Jacob, Lydia, Conrad, John and George.

Abbeville County, South Carolina Census Records

Abbeville County, South Carolina was formed in 1800. It was a functioning county in 1785, and as such, was enumerated as early as 1790. 1790 Abbeville County, South Carolina Census Free 1790 Census Form for your Research Hosted at Ancestry.com – Ancestry Free Trial 1790 Abbeville County, Census (images and index) $ Hosted at Census Guide 1790 U.S. Census Guide 1800 Abbeville County, South Carolina Census Free 1800 Census Form for your Research Hosted at Ancestry.com – Ancestry Free Trial 1800 Abbeville County, Census (images and index) $ Hosted at Census Guide 1800 U.S. Census Guide 1810 Abbeville County, South … Read more

Biography of John E. Ball

JOHN E. BALL. One of the progressive farmers of Howell County, Missouri, is John E. Ball, who was born in Abbeville District, S. C., in 1850, a son of James Wilburn and Mary (Mosley) Ball, who were born in the Palmetto State November9, 1817 and 1807, respectively. About 1859 they came to what is now Clay County, Arkansas, by wagon, and there the remainder of their lives were spent, she dying in 1865 and he in 1872. They were farmers by occupation and for some time during the Civil War the father of the subject of this sketch served in … Read more

Slave Narrative of Rosa Starke

Interviewer: W. W. Dixon Person Interviewed: Rosa Starke Location: Winnsboro, South Carolina Date of Birth: 1854 Age: 83 Occupation: Farm work, hoeing and picking cotton. Rosa’s grandfather was a slave of Solicitor Starke. Although she has had two husbands since slavery, she has thrown their names into the discard and goes by the name of Rosa Starke. She lives in a three-room frame house with her son, John Harrison, two miles south of Winnsboro, S.C., on the plantation of Mrs. Rebecca V. Woodward. She still does farm work, hoeing and picking cotton. “They say I was six years old when … Read more

Threads of ancestors, Telford – Ritchie – Mize

“Threads of Ancestors: Telford – Ritchie – Mize: A Link Among the Days Which Binds the Generations Each with Each,” authored by Leila Ritchie Mize and Jessie Julia Mize, explores the intricate tapestry of family lineage and migration across continents and centuries. Tracing roots back to Alexander Telford Sr., who settled near Rockbridge, Virginia around 1760, this book delves into the journeys and settlements of his descendants across the United States. Highlighting the Scotch-Irish origins of these families, the authors meticulously draw upon an extensive array of sources, including family Bibles, historical records, and personal diaries, to provide a detailed account of the Telford, Ritchie, and Mize families. Their narrative not only charts the genealogical paths of these families but also illuminates their substantial roles in the historical and cultural development of the regions they inhabited. This work stands as a testament to the enduring bonds and shared heritage that link successive generations, forming a foundational piece for both family members and historians interested in the Scotch-Irish contribution to American history.