Jonathan ABNEY

     Jonathan ABNEY, son of Nathaniel ABNEY and Isabella MADISON, was born on 7 February 1761 in Virginia.^1,2 He was also known as John. He was a surveyor in Edgefield County, South Carolina.

During the American Revolution, Jonathan ABNEY enlisted in Col. Robert Anderson's militia company of the Upper Ninety-Six District Regiment circa 1780 in the Old Ninety-Sixth District, South Carolina.

Jonathan ABNEY purchased a government land patent 1785 in Ninety-Six District, South Carolina. His land plat was for 640 acres on Tosety Creek and Plum Branch of the Saluda River and was surveyed by Phillip Waters. His land was bordered by James Carson, A. Duck, John Gorman, Alexander Kenida [Kennedy], and Thomas Spragins.³

Jonathan married first Rachel Elizabeth LARK circa 1786 in South Carolina.⁴

Jonathan ABNEY appeared on a land plat 4 June 1789 in Ninety-Six District, South Carolina. The plat contained 900 acres on Tosetys Creek. Surrounding land owners were James Carson, John Coleman, John Cox, Hezekiah Gentry, William Jockey, Thomas Spragins, and Mathew Wills.⁵

Jonathan ABNEY appeared on the 1790 Federal Census of Ninety-Six District, Edgefield County, South Carolina, One male over 16 [Jonathan], one male under 16 [Lark], three females [Rachel, Charlotte, Polly], and one slave.

John ABNEY bought a tract of land from his father, Nathaniel ABNEY, on 30 January 1792 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. John was referred to as a deputy surveyor, and both men were residents of Edgefield county. The sale for 100 pounds was for 250 acres being part of 400 acres orginally granted 16 Dec 1766 to Henry Metcalf and given in his will to his son Henry who conveyed it to Thomas W. Waters who with his wife Sarah conveyed it to Nathaniel Abney. The tract was on the south side of the Saluda River adjacent to where the Long branch of Tosety's Creek crosses the head of Wolf Trap's Branch, the widow Abney[Harriett?], Paul Abney, and Alexander Kenida[Kennedy]. The sale was witnessed by Azariah Abney, Thos. Pulley, Joel Abney on 27 Oct 1792. It was recorded 3 Sep 1793.⁶ He witnessed the sale of land from Samuel ABNEY Jr. to Thomas Spraggins on 14 August 1793 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For 8 pounds he sold 18 acres, part of 150 acres originally granted 20 May 1769 unto Stephen Collins and conveyed to Samuel Abney, dec'd, the father of the said Samuel Abney, and he being heir at law. Said tract was on the Saluda River adjacent to branches of Tosetys Creek and land of said Thomas Spraggins. Witnesses were William Kennedy and John Abney.⁷

Jonathan married second Susan Isabella POPE, daughter of Jacob Thomas POPE and Elizabeth Dawkins, circa 1798 in South Carolina.⁴

John ABNEY sold a tract of land to William KENNEDY on 10 April 1800 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For £15 sterling the sale was for 100 acres being part of 740 acres originally granted to said John Abney 5 Sep 1785 upon Tosety Creek of Saluda River, said 100 acres bounding on said William Kennedy's land, Paul Abney, road from Saluda Old Town to Charleston, old Dutch survey now belonging to Cullen Lark. Witnesses were Azariah Abney and Joel Abney. It was signed by John Abney and proven 10 Apr 1802 by Joel Abney before Nathaniel Abney, JP. Recorded 26 Mar 1803.⁸

John ABNEY sold a tract of land to Azariah ABNEY on 9 January 1802 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The $135 deed was for 150 acres originally granted to John Deen by bounty and conveyed by his oldest brother and heir at law to John Abney on Tosetys Creek of Saluda River, adjacent land of Cullen Lark, the waggon road, Samuel Abneys land, and said Azariah Abney's land. Witnesses were Harris Smith and Joel Abney. It was proven 15 Dec 1802 before Nathaniel Abney JP.⁹

John ABNEY sold a tract of land to Zachariah Riley on 26 March 1802 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For £38 sterling, two tracts containing 305 acres on Persimmon Lick Creek of Little Saluda River; first tract contains 225 acres, being part of 1190 acres originally granted to said John Abney 5 Jun 1786, adjacent lands settled by James Reed, Zachariah Riley and formerly owned by William Bowlen, John Cox, Walter Abney, Dannett Abney. The second tract contained 80 acres of land adjacent to above tract was originally granted Abner Dean by bounty; conveyed to George Dean eldest brother and heir to said Abner Dean and deeded to above John Abney, the 80 acres hereby sold except a small part that runs into other lands in order to join the tracts together. Witness were James Carson and Thomas Redmond. Signed by John Abney and proven and recorded 26 Mar 1803 by James Carson before Nathaniel Abney JP.¹⁰

Jonathan ABNEY was named executor and an heir in the will of Nathaniel ABNEY dated 29 July 1806 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Lastly, I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my three sons John, Joel, and Azariah, to be my true, and lawful executors, to see that the true intent, and meaning to this my Last Will and Testament be punitivally fulfilled.¹¹

Susan Isabella died on 11 September 1807 in Edgefield County, South Carolina, leaving Jonathan ABNEY as a widower.⁴

John ABNEY bought a tract of land from William KENNEDY on 15 July 1809 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. In the bond, William Kennedy stated his father was Alexander Kennedy and his wife Patsey or Martha Kennedy. The bond was for 200 acres on Tosetys Creek, a branch of the Saluda River, (part of an original grant to his father Alexander Kennedy). Tosety Creek is where Samuel Abney, Sr.'s land was in Edgefield (now Saluda) county. The land was discribed as being originally granted to said John Abney and conveyed to William Kennedy. It was on northeast side of Paul Abney's land, on southeast of John Bolger, south by more land of John Abney, west by John Sanford, southwest by Azariah Abney and north by said John Abney. Witnesses were George Nunn, Alex. S. Legg, and Hugh Duffey. Patsey or Martha Kennedy, wife of William, relinquished her dower.^12,13,14

Jonathan ABNEY bought land from Lemuel Munson on 1 December 1810 in Edgefield (now Saluda) District, South Carolina. Lemuel Munson to John Abney Sr, Conditioned Bond, 1 Dec 1810, Munson makes title to Abney to 50 acres originally granted to Daniel Mukles situate on Beaverdam Branch of Coffeetown Creek surveyed by Jesse Blocker D.S. on 22 May 1810 for 220 Acres, title made to in consideration of 33 pounds which I owe to said Abney, bound in sum of 66 pounds, nevertheless if I pay said Abney 12 months after date with lawful interest, then above sale shall be void. Witnesses: Thomas Carson, George Nunn. Signed Lemuel Munson. Proven 3 Aug 1812 by Thomas Carson, William Spraggins J.P. Recorded 2 Nov 1813.¹⁵

John ABNEY bought land from Zachariah ABNEY on 29 December 1810 in Edgefield County (now Saluda), South Carolina. Both were residents of Edgefield County. According to the bond, William Kennedy, now of Georgia, had sold land where he formerly lived on Tosetys Creek, a branch of the Saluda River. It not being convenient for him to procure rights from some of the legatees of his father, Alexander Kennedy's estate, including his brothers John and James Kennedy and his sister Rosanna Kennedy. Zachariah paid $200 bond to indemnify John Abney against claims of the legatees should they come forward. Witnesses were Lark Abney and Thomas Carson.^16,15

Jonathan ABNEY bought land from Paul 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 1813.¹⁷

Jonathan left a will dated 20 June 1812 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. In the name of God, Amen. I, John Abney, merchant, of the District of Edgefield and state of South Carolina, revoking all others do appoint this to be my Last Will and Testament. 1st, it is my desire after my estate is appraised that an old negro woman named Nooney, shall have privelege to go to any person may choose on their accounting to my estate, the value of her appraisement.

2nd, It is my desire, at my decease, that after all my lawful debts are paid, that my beloved wife, shall have a certain tracct of land known by the name of Bolger Tract, two hundred acres more of less, to extend toward the west, beginning at a spring, Urban Nicholson uses water out of, running to an old road that cresses the Charleston Road, that leads to Paul Abney, from thence along said road to land originally granted to Alexander Kennedy, that there shall be built on said land, a dwelling house, 22 feet by 16 feet, with other necessary out houses. Dwelling house to be built out of logs, well heaved, high enough for stairs and lodging above the said tract of land together with premises thereon she accepts in lieu of her dower of all my lands. The above house to have stone chimney up to the mantle, tree sticks and dirt afterwards.

3rd, It is my desire that my son Lark Abney, have all the land lying on the west side of Tossety Creek, joining the mill on said creek, belonging to me, to a corner on the left hand of the path down to the old place, about half way between said creek and Saluda River and then to follow and inset lline, square on to the back line said line be valued.

4th, it is my desire that my daughter, Charlotte Oneale, shall have a tract of land whereon Doct. Charles Oneall now lives, it being bounded by land of Wm. Abney, deceased. Land known by the name Tosyes on two sides -- east by Reuben Blalock, on the norht by an old survey and James Summers land, on the west Urban Nicholson land, on a south course till strikes Wm. Abney(deceased) land. To be valued to her together with any other property thay shall fall to her part of said estate, during her natural life and after her death to be equally divided among the lawful heirs of and after her death to be equally divided among the lawful heirs of her boby. Said property to lie in the hands of my administration for the use of her and her children.

5th, It is my desire that Arthur Dillard should have one tract of Fifty acres of land whereon James Neale formerly lived, at the rate of one hundred dollars, also one hundred and twenty acres of land granted to Abner Deen on bounty and conveyed by his brother George Deen to me. Said land to be valued.

6th, It is my desire that my wife shall have a negro boy named Ben, at his valuation, and my son Lark should have a negro boy named David, that my daughter Charlotte should have a negro girl named Beck, at their valuation.

7th, It is my desire that after the distribution of the above named property, it shall be in the power of my administrators to sell on credit of twelve months, any property that shall be thought unnecessary for the use and support of my family, and such a part of the money, as will make those equal, who have least shares in division.

8th, It is my desire that each of my minor children, as they come to the years of maturiity or marry, shall be made equal in property to the rest in division.

9th, It is my desire that my minor children shall have a good english education out of my estate.

10th, It is my desire that when my youngest child come of age or any suitable period, my whole personal estate shalll be divided between my wife and children, or their lawful representatives.

11th, It is my desire that my wife should be the lawful guardian of her own children.

12th, It is my desire that if any of my chidren should die before they come to the years of maturity, that their part of property be equally among my children.

Lastly, It is my request that the ordinary of this district do appoint three administrators of suitable qualifications who shall be well recommended by undoubted character to execute this, my Last Will and Testament, for which service I wish this to be amply compensated of which the Ordinary shall be judge. In witness whereof I have hereuntio set my hand and seal, acknowledging this to be my Last Will and Testament, this twentieth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and twelve. John Abney (seal). Witness: Azariah Abney, Urban Nicholson, Wm. Moore, Wm. Spraggins. Recorded South Carolina, Edgefield District by John Simkins Esquire Ordinary who states that personally appeared before me William Spraggin and Urban Nicholson, who being duly sworn, doth make oath and say that they saw John Abney sign, seal and declare the within to be his Last Will and Testament, and that the said John Abney was then of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of these deponants knowledge and belief, and that Azariah Abney and Wm. Moore together with this desponants, signed their names as witnesses thereto at the request of the testator, and in his presence, at the same time qualified Lark Abney and Arthur Dillard executors to the within. Given under my hand, at my office, the 14th Aug. 1812. Jn. Simkins O.E.D. Recorded in Will book A page 318, 30 Aug 1813.¹⁸

John ABNEY sold a tract of land to John Bolger and Sarah Carson on 22 June 1812 in Edgefield (now Saluda) County, South Carolina. For $40 he deeded 250 acres, being part of 3500 acres originally granted to said John Abney on 5 Dec 1788 in Ninety-Six District , now Edgefield County. It was adjacent to lands surveyed for Michael Abney, now claimed by Col. Samuel Mays. Witnesses: Joel Abney, Austin Eskridge, Lark Abney. It was proven 25 Jun 1812 by Lark Abney and recorded 22 May 1816.¹⁹

Jonathan ABNEY died on 23 July 1812 in Edgefield, South Carolina, at age 51.²⁰