Paul ABNEY

     Paul ABNEY, son of Dr. Abraham ABNEY and Cassandra MEREDITH, was born in 1744 in Virginia.¹ He was a farmer and a shoemaker. He was also known as Pvt. Paul.

Paul married Eleanor HAMILTON, daughter of Unknown HAMILTON, circa 1765 in South Carolina. This date is a very rough estimate based on their birth dates.

According to Raymond R. Abney in the "Abney Family Researcher" newsletter, "Thomas Hamilton Abney b. ca. 1792, claimed that this Paul Abney was 'own' [i.e. first] cousin to his grandfather, Samuel Abney. Since Dr. Abraham Abney's family went to South Carolina; and George Abney's sons and one daughter went to South Carolina, I believe Dr. Abraham is the uncle (of Samuel) who sired Paul (Samuel's first cousin). Earlier researchers believed Dr. Nathaniel Abney had a brother named Paul. I believe they were 'accidentally' correct, but they had the wrong Paul! They had Pvt. Paul Abney/Abner. The correct Paul was actually Paul Abney who married Eleanor Hamilton!"²

Paul 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 Capt. William ABNEY.³

During the American Revolution Paul served in the South Carolina Upper Ninety-Six militia under Col. Robert Anderson and Gen. Andrew Pickens. He also made the shoes for Samuel Hammond's regiment of Light Dragoons.⁴

Paul ABNEY purchased a government land patent 1785 in Ninety-Six District, South Carolina. The land plat was for 136 acres on Tosetys Creek and the Saluda River. It was surveyed by Phillip Waters. It was bordered by land of Martha Abney, Paul Abney, and Sarah McQueen.⁵

Paul ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1790 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. The household was listed as two males age 16 and older (Paul, ?), one male under 16 (John, and five females (Eleanor, Jane, Mary, Tabitha, Martha).

Paul ABNEY was the administrator of John Hamilton's estate in 1793 in Edgefield, Edgefield County, South Carolina. Buyers in the state sale included Paul Abney, John Abney, William Kennedy, Nathaniel Abney, Dannett Abney, Elijah Pope Abney and Joel Abney.⁶

Paul ABNEY and John ABNEY were granted land 5 February 1798 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. There were two separate grants, received on the same date and in the same area.⁷

Paul ABNEY appeared on the 1800 Federal Census of Edgefield County, South Carolina, One maile 16-25 [Jonathan], one maile 45 or older [Paul], 3 females 10-15, one femaile 16-25, and one female 45 or older [Eleanor].

Paul ABNEY bought a tract of land from John ABNEY on 11 February 1800 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For $100 he sold 425 acres being part of 900 acres originally granted to said John Abney on Tosetys Creek of Saluda River, adjacent to land of James Carson now belonging to Major Thomas Butler. Witnesses were William W. Abney and James Barnes. Signed by John Abney. Proven 11 Feb 1800 by William and Nathaniel Abney JP. Recorded 26 Mar 1800.⁸

Paul ABNEY was the administrator of John Hamilton's estate on 14 September 1804 in Edgefield, Edgefield County, South Carolina. Appraisers of the estate in 1805 were John Abney, Jr., William Kennedy, James Barnes, and William Spraggins.

Paul ABNEY sold land to Jonathan ABNEY on 5 June 1811 in Edgefield (now Saluda) District, South Carolina. Paul Abney to John Abney Sr, deed, five June [not readable], $200, 150 acres it being part of 900 Acres originally granted to above mentioned John Abney on 6 July 1789, a part of which the above-mentioned is a part was conveyed by said John Abney to said Paul Abney, situated on head of Tosetys Creek of Saluda River adjacent lines of William Spraggins, John Abney Sr., land surveyed for David Hendricks. Witnesses John Abney Jr., Urbane Nicholson, Lark Abney. Signed Paul Abney. Justice Sampson Pope certified relinquishment of Dower rights by Eleanor Abney wife of Paul Abney, 6 July 1811. Signed Eleanor Abney. Proven 16 November 1812 by Urbane Nicholson, William Spraggins J.P. Recorded 2 Nov 1813.⁹

Eleanor died on 17 September 1819 in South Carolina leaving Paul ABNEY as a widower.^1,10

Paul left a will dated 24 October 1819 in Edgefield (now Saluda) County, South Carolina. I give to my son John Abney five negroes namely: Juda, Sarah, Mary, Ben and Sam. He is to pay his sisters 100 dollars each in twelve months after receiving the negroes. Daughter Jane Barnes an equal part, also one horse value at $80.00. Daughter Martha Patterson an equal part, also her son Paul Abney Patterson to get one half of the track of land on West end of the land I now live on. His parents to have use of land until he is twenty-one years old. Daughter Mary [Boulware], equal part. Daughter Tabitha Hicks an equal part, also one track of land on the head of Tarsity [Tosity?] Creek. Daughter Elizabeth Black, an equal part, also other half of the land I gave to Paul Abney Patterson. Make John Chapman and John Abney executors. Signed: Paul Abney, seal. Witnesses: John Chapman, Agatha Abney and Sophia Chapman. Recorded 20 Jan 1821.¹¹

Paul ABNEY died on 27 December 1820 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.^1,12 He was buried in Barnes' Graveyard, Saluda County, South Carolina.