Lark ABNEY

     Lark ABNEY, son of Jonathan ABNEY and Rachel Elizabeth LARK, was born on 12 November 1788 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

Lark saw military service in 1812 in Edgefield County, South Carolina, as a private in Nash's regiment of South Carolina Volunteers during the War of 1812. The regment is said to have suffered great hardships during the Creek War phase of the conflict.

Brigadier General Joseph Graham's brigade of troops from North and South Carolina (included Colonel Nash's South Carolina militia) deployed along the Georgia frontier to deal with the Red Sticks. Colonel Reuben Nash's South Carolina regiment of volunteer militia traveled from South Carolina at the end of January 1814. The militia marched to the start of the Federal Road in Augusta, Georgia, walking to Fort Benjamin Hawkins (in modern Macon, Georgia) en route to reinforce the various forts including Fort Mitchell, Alabama (in modern Phenix City, Alabama). Other companies in the Nash's regiment were at Fort Mitchell by July 1814. Company muster rolls of Captain John Wallace (one of Nash's companies) list the company near Fort Hawkins on Feb. 9, near Fort Jackson (Alabama) on May 13, and near Fort Hawkins on July 13.

Lark ABNEY was named executor and an heir in the will of Jonathan ABNEY dated 20 June 1812 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.² He married Martha REARDON circa 1815 in Edgefield District (now Saluda County), South Carolina.

Lark ABNEY sold a tract of land to John Nathan CHAPMAN of Newberry District on 5 April 1817 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The deed for $1500 contacted 304(?) acres on Tossetys Creek of the Saluda River. It was adjacent the lands of Sarah Carson, estate of ___ Abney deceased, Paul Abney, estate of Samuel Abney dec'd, estate of John Abney, and Azariah Abney. Witnesses: Lewellen Patrick and Hugh Duffey. Signed by Lark Abney. Proven 13 Aug 1817 by Hugh Duffie and recorded 3 Mar 1818.³

Lark ABNEY bought land from John Calhoun Hamilton and George Pollatty on 2 December 1817 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The deed for $350 included 88 2/3 acres on Mountain Creek, adjacent lands of John Parlatty, Henry Parkman, Elizabeth Coursey, and Peter Woots, being land in the estate of John Coursey, deceased, and conveyed to "our wives as their inheritance." Signed by John Hamilton, Rhoda Hamilton, George Pollatty and Matilda Pollatty. Witnesses: Richard Pendleton, Martin Cooke. Justice Jesse Blocker certifies the relinquishment of dower rights by Rhoda Hamilton and Matilda Polatty, wives of the within John Hamilton and George Pollatty, 29 Oct 1819. Signed Rhoda Hamilton and Matilda Polatta.⁴

Lark ABNEY and Elizabeth Cook were the administrators of Jeremiah Burnett Sr.'s estate on 1 January 1818 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.

Lark ABNEY bought land from Wiley Berry on 11 December 1818 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The deed for $1400 contained 140 acres on Little Stevens Creek at mouth of Spring Branch a little above Jeremiah Burkhalters mill, adjacent the Augusta Road. The land was formerly granted to Mizzeak, Aron Hills land, James Smiley's land, it being part of two tracts, one granted to Hugh Rowe, the other to James Williams 12 Oct 1770. It was signed by Wiley Berry. Witnesses: Benjamin Hastings, Jacob P. Abney. Justice Jesse Blocker certified the relinquishment of dower rights by Milly Berry, wife of Wiley Berry, 29 Oct 1819. Signed Milley (X) Berry. Proven 20 Dec 1818 by Jacob P. Abney and recorded 1 Nov 1819.⁵

Lark ABNEY bought land from William Coursey on 1 May 1819 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The deed purchased for $250 included 50 acres on Mountain Creek of Turkey Creek being part of 196 acres granted to Jonathan Dawson. It was adjacent to John Hamilton, Elizabeth [binding]sey, David Taylor, John Coursey, John Bolger, and Wiley Berry. Signed by William Coursey. Witnesses: John Hamilton, John Cursey. Justice Jesse Blocker certified relinquishment of dower rights by Susannah Coursey, wife of William Coursey, 8 [month illegible] 1820, signed Susannah Coursey. Proven 5 Nov 1819 by John Hamilton. Recorded 1 Jan 1821.⁶ He and Martha moved from Edgefield County, South Carolina to Monroe County, Alabama, circa 1820.⁷

Lark ABNEY died on 6 May 1822 in Abbeville Court House, South Carolina, at age 33 according to the 19 October 1822 "Cahawba Press". The brief article refers to him as Capt. Lark Abney of Claiborne, Alabama.⁸

Lark left a will dated 6 August 1822 in Monroe County, Alabama. To his children, Elizabeth Lark Abney, Claricy Jean Abney, and Dabney Parmer Abney, he left "one plantation and tract of land" in Monroe County containing 320 acres "whereon I now live, together with all the household and kitchen furniture, plantation tools and everything else pertaining to said plantation together with one four wheel carriage and harness and stock of every description on or belonging to said plantation as well as the following negroes (to wit): Bob (blacksmith), Cesar, Dave, Claiborn, Henry, George, Amy, Temp and her two children Edy and Charlotte, Violet and her child Sillar, and Ritter."

The will stated that the plantation would be under the direction and control of "my beloved wife Martha Abney for raising, education and support of my children" until they married or reached the age of twenty-one. He added that if his wife should be pregnant, that the child should receive an equal share of the estate. Martha would retain in her possession a portion of the plantation for her support during her widowhood or natural life.

The following lands in Edgefield District, South Carolina: one tract lying on Mountain Creek, known as the Barkman Tract on Long Cane Road; the adjoining tract known as the Hamilton and Polatty Tract; one tract on Sleepy Creek containing 80 acres; one containing 30 acres known as the Quattlebaum lands; and one tract known as the Crossroads or McDaniel Tract, as well as monies due Lark Abney in South Carolina were directed to be delivered to Samuel Stalnecker of Edgefield District and Steven Shell of Newberry who were acting as his agents. The lands were to be sold for the purpose of paying off the money that Lark had received from his father's estate as guardian of his brothers Henry Madison Abney, Jonathon Abney, and Ira Abney (Minors) with the balance remaining to be given to Martha for the benefit of her and the children.

Lark appointed "my beloved wife Martha Abney my sole Executrix." The will August 6, 1822 and was it witnessed by Jesse Blocker, Ebn. Hammond, and Barkley Blocker. It was probated 14 Jan 1823.⁹