The OTHER Samuel Reed in South Carolina

Frankly, folks, I get quite dismayed every time I still see George Reed and Abigail Leger listed as parents of our ancestor Samuel Reed.  Despite all the secondary sources you can find that might make you believe it (other family trees, DAR applications, Manning Files, etc.), good evidence proves that it simply is not true.

The death dates of the two Samuel Reeds with the good sources we have should be the easiest way to tell that these Samuels are not the same.  Our Samuel died in 1823 (his will being recorded 14 Nov 1823 in Barnwell County, SC).  According to the other Samuel's Revolutionary War record, he died twenty years later in another state!  Would you not call that undeniable proof? 

Cover card of the Other Samuel's war record states "Born in Penn. Son of George."

My source?  The other Samuel Reed's (son of George) quite detailed Revolutionary War record at the National Archives and available to us through Fold3.com (formerly Footnote.com) and Ancestry.com.  Check it out if you can.  It really is fascinating reading. 

This other Samuel's timeline found over and over in this record: 

• 1749 - Born on January 26 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to George Reed

• 1762 - Moved to Rowan County, NC and then on to South Carolina with his parents when he was 13 years old

• 1775 - Enlisted in militia and served in the Revolutionary War for about six years under his father, Colonel George Reed, and others

• 1790 Census - "Capt Saml Reed" living in Abbeville County, SC

• He remained in South Carolina until about 1800 or 1806 when he moved to Georgia. 

• 1832 - His war pension of $20.00 a year was executed on September 25 when he lived in Gwinnett County, GA

• 1840 Census - Living in Gwinnett County, GA

• 1840 - Moved to St. Clair County, Alabama, after the death of his wife to live with his children

• 1843 - Died on February 8, most likely in Alabama

We genealogy researchers of 2012 are very, very fortunate to be able to find most of this information without even getting up from our desks.  Time was, however, that researchers wrote letters to the archives to try to find out information about their ancestors.  The archivists were usually diligent (as well as patient) in their responses.  Here's a copy of one such response that sums it all up quite well. 

Click on images to enlarge.

Who were our Samuel's parents?  To date, I've seen several other supposed parents of our Samuel Reed, but I have seen ZERO evidence to convince me.  Have you any evidence?

OUR Samuel Reed was born in Ireland around 1751.  He was still in Ireland when his son Hugh was born there in 1783.  (Source for Hugh's birth date is his tombstone.  Source for his birthplace is the 1850 census.)  Our Samuel shows in the 1800, 1810, and 1820 censuses in Barnwell County.  He died in Barnwell County in November 1823, per the recording of his will on 14 Nov 1823.

Please help spread the word! 

Any questions?

Margaret Reed and Newport Head Had At Least Five Daughters

Last week, I received images of a document that provided some rich information on the daughters of Newport Head and Margaret Reed (a daughter of Samuel and Mary Clark Reed).  (Many thanks to Judy Womack!)

The document was a case in the Chancery and Equity Courts of Barnwell County, South Carolina dated 4 Jan 1851.  (Box 15, Group 30  - Margaret Head & Margaret Head Jr et al vs W.R. Halford S.B.D et al 01-04-1851)   I will give the full document at the end of this post.  For now, let's focus on this excerpt:  

It names “the said Elizabeth Head, Margaret Head the Younger, Mary Lott (wife of William Lott) and Jane Odom (wife of Thomas Odom) are the daughters of the said Margaret Head the Elder (the wife of Newport Head) and that the said Rebecca Lott is the daughter of one Ellen Lott who is now dead and who was in her lifetime the daughter of the said Margaret Head.” 

All the trees I could find on Ancestry (even mine) had only three daughters for Margaret and Newport Head, listing the eldest daughter as “Mary Ellen”  followed by Jane and Elizabeth Ann.  After some digging, I found daughter Margaret and her husband Levi McClendon. 

Ellen Head Lott, Rebecca’s mother referred to in the document, eluded me. 

Rebecca could be found in the 1850 census living with the preacher’s family next door to her grandparents Margaret and Newport.  In 1860, she was living with these grandparents. 

My next step was to ask around.  Cousin Josie Reed stepped up to the plate once again.  (Thank you so much again, Josie!)  Here’s what she found: 

From the South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research (SCMAR), South Carolina Baptist Marriages and Deaths, 1835-65 (1848 issue)  "Died, on the 12th of May last, in Barnwell District, in the 23rd year of her age, Mrs. Ellen Elizabeth Lott, daughter of Mr. N. Head, and consort of Mr. S. Lott....member of Blackville Baptist Church."  

Rebecca’s mother was Ellen Elizabeth Lott, and her father was “S. Lott.”  Josie found a Samuel Lott in the 1850 census living nearby.  Could this be Rebecca’s father? 

Looking further, I found that Rebecca married her second cousin George L. Hartzog, son of Ann Clark Reed and John Andrew Zeigler.  Ann Clark Reed was a daughter of Hugh Reed and Jane McSpeddon.  On the death certificates of several of Rebecca’s children, we learn that her middle name was Margaret and that George’s middle name was Louis.  

The daughters were:  

Mary Head - born abt 1822, died unknown; married William Emory Lott born abt 1815; died unknown.

Ellen Elizabeth Head - born abt 1825, died 12 May 1848; married S. Lott.

Jane Head - born 20 June 1827, died 24 May 1900; married Thomas Odom born 21 Aug 1817, died 17 Jun 1891.

Elizabeth Ann Head - born 23 Feb 1833, died 13 Feb 1920; married John Shannon McClendon born 18 Dec 1830, died 7 May 1904.  Both are buried in Odom-McClendon Cemetery.  

Margaret Head - born abt 1834, died 21 Sep 1915; married Levi McClendon. 

All these answers lead to more questions, but isn’t that the way it goes in this genealogy game?  Will we ever have all the answers this side of heaven?  I surely hope not.  I’m enjoying the game!   

Last week I entered the Odom-McClendon Cemetery on Find-a-Grave from the list in The Barnwell Cemetery Books.  (Click here to see.)  I learned a lot figuring the relationships of the people buried there.  I also came to believe that this was where Newport and Margaret Reed Head are buried (although I have no absolute proof).  More on all this later. 

As promised, here is the full document. 

Chancery and Equity Courts of Barnwell County, South Carolina dated 4 Jan 1851.  (Box 15, Group 30  - Margaret Head & Margaret Head Jr et al vs W.R. Halford S.B.D et al 01-04-1851)

(Click on images to enlarge.)   

I'm Back ... I Think ...

It has been almost a year since I posted.  A lot has been happening, and I have a great deal to share with you.  So, I'm going to give it a shot.  Wish me luck! 

Graveyard Teaser Photo:  On March 10, 2012, the Hartzog-Reed Cemetery was "unveiled" by the Sons of Confederate Veterans who had recently done a marvelous job of cleaning it up.

Just a few of the things I need to share: 

~ I've met several new-to-me cousins since last October who have shared a lot of facts and photos.  I look forward to introducing them to you. 

~ On the graveyarding scene, fabulous progress has been made on three of our families' sites.  You're going to love it!

~ Margaret Reed and Newport Head had five daughters, not just the three most of us have on our trees.  Great documentation to share on this!

~ My mother died on January 1, 2012.  Expect a tribute to her very soon.