Joel P. ABNEY

M, b. 15 October 1774, d. 14 February 1816
Relationship
1st cousin 5 times removed of John Kennedy BROWN Jr.
     Joel P. ABNEY, son of Nathaniel ABNEY and Isabella MADISON, was born on 15 October 1774 in South Carolina.1,2 He was a farmer. He lived on the Saluda River, near Higgins Ferry.

Joel married Elizabeth "Betty" POPE, daughter of Jacob Thomas POPE and Elizabeth Dawkins, circa 1795 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She and Mary Ann Pope, wife of Joel's brother, Azariah, were sisters.3

During the War of 1812, Joel P. ABNEY, Azariah ABNEY and Jonathan Bay ABNEY enlisted in in Capt. Zachary Smith Brooks' Company of state cavalry between 1800 and 1815 in Edgefield District. Joel was a cornet. There were three John Abneys in the unit, one was first sargeant and another was secretary.4

Joel P. ABNEY witnessed the sale of land from John ABNEY to William KENNEDY on 10 April 1800 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.5

Joel P. ABNEY witnessed the sale of land from John ABNEY to Azariah ABNEY on 9 January 1802 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. These were his brothers.6

Joel P. 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.7

Joel left a will dated 3 February 1811 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. "I, Joel Abney, being very sick, and knowing the uncertainty of life, do make and constitute this my Last Will and Testament..." Appointed his wife, Elizabeth Abney, sole executor. After disposing of his just debts his property was to be distributed equally among his children "on their severalty arriving at the age of manhood or my daugther's marrying. My children being as follows. Viz. Narassi Abney, Elmina Abney, Elijah P. Abney, Mark M. Abney, Charlotte E. Abney, and Azarah L. D. Abney." He asked that his sister-in-law Miss Charlotte Pope have an equal share of the estate with his children "provided she shall throw in as an addition to my estate all her personal property at its real value..." "I also wish her to live in my family and keep her negroes in the family, clear of all expense or charge, as long as she remains single. To enjoy all the benefits and advantages of my family as usual." In the event his wife remarried she was to receive and equal share with his children and Miss Pope, or else one third of his estate. Upon her death her share to be equally divided among his children and Miss Pope. He also appointed his wife administrix to the estate of Thomas Hogan, deceased, and Walter Abney executor of the estate of William Rubard, deceased, of whch cases he was currently administrator. He left to Joel Abney, Son of his brother Azariah Abney, one hundred dollars when he reached twenty-one. Joel Abney (seal). Witnesses: Azariah Abney, William Coleman, and W. Bodhun. Recorded 16 May 1816.8

Joel P. ABNEY died on 14 February 1816 in Edgefield District (now Saluda County), South Carolina, at age 41. According to his wife, he came into the house one day and said, "Fix me a bed, I am dying" and he was dead in a few minutes. She died within a year or two thereafter.9,10 He was buried in Nathanel Abney Cemetery, near Newberry. The cemetery is 1/2 mile west of the Saluda River Bridge. Traveling from Newberry on Hwy. 121, turn right at the first logging road. Go about 1/2 mile, graves are located on the left in a small grove of trees on a slight knoll. The land belongs to Southern Brick Company. No tombstones remain, having been removed since 1956.10
Last Edited=21 Feb 2021

Children of Joel P. ABNEY and Elizabeth "Betty" POPE

Citations

  1. [S153] Snead, Bible Records of Tennessee Families.
  2. [S980] Memory Aldridge Lester, Old Southern Bible Records, Paul Abney Family Bible including Capt. Nathaniel Abney family.
  3. [S152] Interview, George Henderson Abney, August 1923.
  4. [S144] John Abney Chapman, History of Edgefield County, Muster Roll-- Brooks Company, pg. 47.
  5. [S764] Carol Wells, Edgefield Deeds, Deed Books 19, 20, 21 & 22 pg. 154 ( DB 22, pg. 448-449).
  6. [S764] Carol Wells, Edgefield Deeds, Deed Books 19, 20, 21 & 22 pg. 121 ( DB 22, pg. 107-109).
  7. [S898] Frances Terry Ingmire, Edgefield Old Wills Vol, 2, pg. 21-22. Source: Box 32, pkg. 1175.
  8. [S898] Frances Terry Ingmire, Edgefield Old Wills Vol, 2, pg. 130-131. Source: Box 2, pkg. 35. Will Book A, page 351.
  9. [S177] Linda McMillen, "Abney Family Correspondence," e-mail to John K. Brown.
  10. [S902] Mary B. Parkman, Our Saluda County Ancestors, pg. 18.

Information on this site has been gathered over many years from many sources. Although great care has been taken, inaccuracies may exist. Please contact [email protected] with corrections or questions..