Capt. William ABNEY

     Capt. William ABNEY, son of George ABNEY and Unity Meredith, was born on 5 May 1736 in Henrico County, Virginia.^1,2 He was a surveyor. He was a devisee of his father of lands in Virginia and grantee of lands on the Saluda River in South Carolina; and moved to that state in 1774 as a planter.

William married Mary CLARK circa 1756.

William began military service in 1756 in Amelia County, Virginia, serving as a foot soldier under Captains Henry Anderson and John Winne in defense of the colony of Virginia during the French and Indian War. He again appeared on an Amelia County militia roster in Sep 1758.³

Nathaniel ABNEY and Capt. William ABNEY sold a tract of land to Mattox MAYS 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.⁴

Capt. William ABNEY was named executor and an heir in the will of George ABNEY dated 13 October 1765 in Halifax County, Virginia. He was given 200 acres of land adjoining William Glass and Charles Harroway.^5,6

Capt. William ABNEY sold a tract of land to Thomas SPRAGGINS 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.⁷

Capt. William ABNEY was granted land 14 February 1772 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. William received a land grant 14 February 1772 near Saluda and a mile or two below Scotland, and on the old Ninety-Six Road near the Saluda River. His brother Samuel settled nearby.⁸

Capt. William ABNEY was granted land 21 April 1773 in Colleton County, South Carolina. He was granted 200 acres in Colletin County on a branch of Saludy called Tarepin [or Tarrapin] Creek. Bounded on north by said Abney, northeast by Levi Pitts, south by Phillip Hazell, other sides vacant. The survey was certified 4 May 1773. Quit rent was due in two years. This was a memorial dated 13 Jul 1774. Note that memorials were abstracts of land titles that owners of granted land were required by law to register in the office of His Majesty's Auditor General for South Carolina in Charleston. They facilitated collection of quitrent, a form of colonial property tax.^9,10

Capt. William ABNEY was granted land 21 April 1775 in Old 96 District, South Carolina. He was granted 200 acres in 96 District on Halfway Swamp waters of Saludy River. Bounded northwest by John Spiller, Patrick Dooley and Caleb Hollaway; southeast by John Spencer; other sides vacant. Survey certified 10 Feb 1775. Quit rent in two years. This was a Memorial abstract dated 2 Sep 1175.¹¹

Capt. William ABNEY began military service between 1776 and 1782 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. During the Revolution he served as a first lieutenant and captain in the South Carolina Militia under Gen. Andrew Pickens. He also served as a lieutenant in the 3rd Continental Regiment during 1777. He served seven years during the war, including service under his brother, Captain Nathaniel Abney. In a report of the militia and volunteers on duty in the fortified camp (Star Fort) at Ninety-Six on Sunday, the 19th of November, 1775, under the command of Major Andrew Williamson, William was mentioned as an officer under Major Mayson and his thirty-seven Rangers.^12,13

Capt. William ABNEY appeared as Head of Household on the census of 1779 in Old 96 District, South Carolina. The census also included these related households: Samuel ABNEY Sr., Dannett ABNEY, Nathaniel ABNEY and Paul ABNEY.¹⁴

William married second Elizabeth Cook circa 1780.

Lurena Gentry Burnett relinquished dower rights to 100 acres on waters of Little Saluda River to William Abney. They were originally granted to Jeremiah Burnett, Sr. 4 Jun 1786. She had married Burnett in 1783 and was the daughter of Hezekiah Gentry and Catherine Reynolds. William Abney later married Burnett's second wife, Elizabeth Cook.

His obituary appeared 21 January 1832 in the United States' Telegraph, Issue 20, published in Washington, D. C.. "Died in Edgefield (S. C.) District on the 24th of last month, Mr. Wm. Abney, Sen., at the advanced age of 94. Mr. Abney served faithfully in the militia in the revolutionary war."¹⁵

Capt. William ABNEY died on 24 January 1832 in Edgefield (now Saluda) District, South Carolina, at age 95.^12,16 He was buried in Abney Family Cemetery, Saluda.