Sgt. George ABNEY

     Sgt. George ABNEY, son of Dannett ABNEY and Cassandra Abney, was born on 10 February 1752 in Henrico County, Virginia.^1,2

George married Sarah "Sally" GRIFFITH, daughter of David G. GRIFFITH and Hannah Middleton, circa 1770 in Edgefield District, South Carolina.

He began military service at age 23 on 3 July 1775 in the Ninety-Sixth District, South Carolina, when he enlisted as a private in the South Carolina Militia and served under Capt. Henry Foster, Col. LeRoy Hammond, and Gen. Andrew Pickens. He marched through the mountains to the head of the Savannah River and was in two light engagements with the Indians. He was discharged after having served four months. In 1778, about six months before the fall of Charleston, he re-enlisted as a 2nd sergeant again under Capt. Foster. In 1780 or 1781 he served under Capts. William Butler, Samuel Sinquefield and John Towles, scouting and rangering against the Tories. He served in the sieges of Augusta, Georgia and Ninety-Six, South Carolina. He was discharged Charleston after serving about 16 months. After the war he lived in Georgia, Tennessee and finally settled in Indiana. He applied for his pension 12 Feb 1822 in Switzerland County, Indiana. His claim was denied because his service was not continental as required by the act under which he applied. He applied again 7 Nov 1832 while a resident of Hamilton county, Indiana where he had lived for four years and had been a resident of the state for nine years. This pension was granted at the rate of $80.00 per year. The last payment was made 5 Apr 1838.^1,3

Sgt. George ABNEY appeared on the 1790 Federal Census of Edgefield District, South Carolina, Two males under 16 [Joshua, William], two males 16 and over [George or Charles, George, Sr.], and two females [Ann, Sarah].

Sgt. George ABNEY bought a tract of land from his father, Dannett ABNEY, on 20 December 1797 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For $150 he sold 150 acres on Persimmon Lick Creek orginally granted to said Dannett Abney, whereon said George Abney now lives, adjacent Joseph Griffins land, Simon Brooks, line dividing said George Abney and his brother Samuel Abney. Witnesses were Joel Abney and Essau Brooks. It was signed by Dannett and proven 5 Jan 1798 by Joel Abney before Nathaniel Abney, JP. Recorded 29 May 1796.⁴

The Revolutionary era one-acre site for the ABNEY Meetinghouse near the head of Persimmon Lick Creek and a mile south of Higgins Ferry (Saluda River), was donated by George Abney in 1798. The subscriptions to build and maintain the non-denominational meetinghouse were collected in 1803.⁵

Sgt. George ABNEY and Samuel ABNEY witnessed the sale of land from Dannett ABNEY to John Riley on 14 February 1798 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The land was located on Persimmon Lick Creek of the Little Saluda River.⁶

Sgt. George ABNEY sold a tract of land to David Griffeths of Newberry County on 12 December 1798 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For 74.13 pounds sterling 100 acres being part of 150 acres conveyed from Dannett Abney to George Abney and orginally granted to said Dannett Abney, upon Persimmon Lick Creek of Little Saluda River, bound by Joseph Griffiths and Samuel Abney. Witnesses were William Boulware, Joseph Griffith, and John Gwyn. Signed George (X) Abney and Sally (X) Abney. Judge William Anderson certified relinquishment of dower by Salley Abney, signed Salley (X) Abney. Proven 18 March 1799 by Joseph Griffiths; Nathaniel Abney, JP. Recorded 16 Mar 1799.⁷

He was included on a tax list in 1801 in Capt. James Kendrick's Company, Jackson County, Georgia. Jackson county was northeast of Atlanta and bisected by I-85.

Sgt. George ABNEY and Joshua ABNEY were included on a tax list in 1805 in Warren County, Tennessee.

Sgt. George ABNEY and Joshua ABNEY were included on a tax list in 1812 in Warren County, Tennessee. Joseph Griffith was also living there. The county is southeast of Nashville.

Sgt. George ABNEY appeared on the 1820 Federal Census of Jackson County, Tennessee, he was recorded as George Abner. The household consisted of one male 45 or older [George] and two foreigners not naturalized. Sally was not listed. The county is a short distance east of Nashville.

Sgt. George ABNEY appeared on the 1830 Federal Census of Hamilton County, Indiana, One male 70-79 [George] and one female 70-79 [Sally].

Sgt. George ABNEY died on 5 April 1838 in Hamilton County, Indiana, at age 86. "He died at the age of 98 [error] while burning stumps to clear his family's homestead."^5,8 He was buried in Highland Cemetery, Fishers, Hamilton County, Indiana.