Abbeville County SC

Abbeville County in upstate South Carolina was formally created on March 12, 1785, from part of the old Ninety-Six District and named for Abbeville, a town in France, reflecting the large number of early French Huguenot and Scotch-Irish settlers who arrived in the mid-18th century along waterways like Long Cane Creek and the Savannah and Saluda rivers; before European settlement the area was part of Cherokee territory and a treaty at Dewitt’s Corner (now Due West) in 1777 ceded much of the land to the colony. The fertile rolling terrain and river access encouraged agricultural settlement, especially cotton plantations, and early communities such as Boonesborough (now Donalds) and Due West grew alongside the eventual county seat, Abbeville. Genealogical records for the county date from its establishment (1790 U.S. census onward, with land grants from 1791 and wills from 1772), though fires in 1872–1873 destroyed most early county records except probate and equity court materials; portions of the original county were later partitioned to form Greenwood County (1897) and McCormick County (1916).

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.

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.

Slave Narrative of Rosa Starke

Rosa Starke, born in 1854, recounts her life as a former enslaved person in South Carolina. She describes her family’s history, including her grandfather’s bondage to Solicitor Starke and her experiences on the Graham and Melrose plantations. Rosa details the hierarchical structure among slaves, the wealth of her owners, and the devastation caused by the Union army during the Civil War. After emancipation, she married twice, ultimately choosing to live independently with her children, while reflecting on her past and the societal changes she witnessed.

Biography of John E. Ball

John E. Ball, born in 1850 in Abbeville District, South Carolina, is a notable progressive farmer from Howell County, Missouri. The son of James Wilburn and Mary Ball, he moved to Clay County, Arkansas, in 1859. Educated primarily through experience, he married Nancy C. Nutt in 1876, with whom he had eight children. In 1883, Ball relocated to Howell County, where he managed a productive 168-acre farm. He is active in local organizations and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, aligning politically with the Democratic party.