William ABNEY
M, b. circa 1803
- Relationship
- 2nd cousin 4 times removed of John Kennedy BROWN Jr.
William ABNEY, son of Azariah ABNEY and Mary Ann POPE, was born circa 1803 in South Carolina. He was also known as "Mad Bill" because of the glumness of his countenance, and not on account of any harshness, nor violence, nor irratability.1 William was employed by Colonel Simpson Wilson to superintend his plantation in Mount Willing, Edgefield County, South Carolina. Colonel Wilson and his son-in-law, Mark McKaun, removed to Florida. Colonel Wilson was very wealthy, and had John Crouder and Mad Bill Abney employed to help superintend his business. Crouder went with him to Florida, but Abney remained at Mount Willing, then owned by Wilson, with a large number of negroes. The yellow fever raged in Florida from 1830 to 1832, with fatal effect. McKann and all his family died of it. Crouder, Wilson, and McKann died of yellow fever in the year 1832. Colonel Wilson died in Florida, and his family all returned to Edgefield.1
William married Elizabeth Wilson in 1832 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She was the widow Stevens, a daughter of Colonel Wilson, and was famous for her great beauty. Mrs. Stevens had gone to Florida, where her husband died of yellow fever, leaving her a widow with three little girls. A dashing young colonel, with a gaudy uniform, made her an offer of marriage; but she told him if a lady like herself, with three little daughters, ever married again, she ought to get a man like Mr. Abney, who knew how to how to make corn and potatoes. Bill Abney heard about the remark and afterwards courted and married her. It is said that when the time of the wedding came, his modesty overcame him in the yard and he could proceed no further. His mother-in-law discovering his embarassment, walked out to him and said very kindly, "Come in, Billy, the girls are waiting."1
After 1832 William ABNEY sold the Mount Willing place to Jacob B. Smith, a grandson of Colonel Wilson moved from South Carolina to Barbour County, Alabama, where he prospered.1
William ABNEY was named an heir in the will of Azariah ABNEY dated 1843 in Edgefield, South Carolina.2
William married Elizabeth Wilson in 1832 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She was the widow Stevens, a daughter of Colonel Wilson, and was famous for her great beauty. Mrs. Stevens had gone to Florida, where her husband died of yellow fever, leaving her a widow with three little girls. A dashing young colonel, with a gaudy uniform, made her an offer of marriage; but she told him if a lady like herself, with three little daughters, ever married again, she ought to get a man like Mr. Abney, who knew how to how to make corn and potatoes. Bill Abney heard about the remark and afterwards courted and married her. It is said that when the time of the wedding came, his modesty overcame him in the yard and he could proceed no further. His mother-in-law discovering his embarassment, walked out to him and said very kindly, "Come in, Billy, the girls are waiting."1
After 1832 William ABNEY sold the Mount Willing place to Jacob B. Smith, a grandson of Colonel Wilson moved from South Carolina to Barbour County, Alabama, where he prospered.1
William ABNEY was named an heir in the will of Azariah ABNEY dated 1843 in Edgefield, South Carolina.2
Last Edited=20 Jun 2020
Citations
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..