Bob Hembree 11819 Maple st. Whittier, ca. 90601
6th Edition Fall 1990
DAVID HEMBREE was born in VA. ca 1728 and died in Anderson County, S.C. in 1809. Others list his birth as 1739 and would only be 9 or 10 yrs. of age if born in 1839/40, a little young to be a taxpayer. Also we know he owned land in 1752 and was most certainly in excess of twelve or thirteen yrs. of age. Although I possess no documents which state he had a brother, I feel certain he had at least four brothers, namely, James, (whom I call James #2 for identity purposes only), John, William, and Edward. He, John and James #2 were in the same area in Lunenburg County, VA, Granville County, N.C., and Spartanburg County, S.C. David later lived in an area of Anderson County, S.C. known as 26 mile Creek where he died and his estate was probated. From the probate records we know his wife’s name was Elizabeth, that he had four children who lived to maturity, and we get the names of several of his g-children.
In tracing David’s movements it is first important to know that Halifax County, VA. was formed from Lunenburg County and what appears to be movement from Lunenburg to Halifax was only the creation of Halifax County and the changing of the records. The second important step is to be aware that the area of N.C. where David was is today Person County, which was formed from Granville County in 1791. It means that you may find records in any of the four counties even though old land records show only Lunenburg and Granville counties. It is also important to know how the militia of the day was formed. Generally the largest landowner was the person with the most influence and the very size of his holdings indicated some ability to organize and direct people. He was therefore named to form a militia not unlike what we might find as a Volunteer fire department in a small rural area today. Thus you will not likely find a connection of the militia to the colonial army. It is usually a waste of time to look for individual records of these men other than a membership roster, however the roster itself is proof that the person resided in that general area, as they were strictly local groups. Since they did not join in one area and serve in another, you can accept the roster as proof of residence in the area, for at least some period of time. It’s important because land ownership in itself, is not proof of residence and we want to know where they lived, married, raised a family, and died to do research.
Again it is important to know the general area surrounding the area of residence, as several of David’s g-children appear to have moved off to Georgia. These are Rev. James children and it’s true they moved to GA. but Hart County, GA. where we find several of them is located just across the river from Anderson County, S.C., so it was still easy to get to grandma’s house for Christmas. Generally speaking Amariah & his descendents are in Hart County, GA. John and his descendents stayed in Anderson County, and James Jr. moved deeper into Ga.
It is only a generalization but David’s descendents from Anderson County, moved south into GA. and then westward at Arkansas, Texas, etc. David’s brother, James descendents from Spartanburg moved northwest to Tennessee, then north to MO, IN & Ohio, then westward. Abraham & Drury (Parents unknown) moved from Spartanburg to N.C., TN, MO and IN, and generally stayed in MO and IN. William’s descendents from Pickens County moved to GA. The result was that those from Spartanburg went one way and Anderson, Pickens went another way.
Earlier I stated I feel certain that David had other brothers and all evidence points to that as fact, however it flies in conflict with stories I keep hearing as to the original immigrants, as that would eliminate David and James as being the original immigrants as some seem to indicate. The stories boil down to two tales: 1. There were two brothers who landed in S.C. and all generations are their descendents, or 2. There were originally four brothers who arrived in Virginia and were split up but finally reunited in S.C. It appears these stories are passed on from people who only knew part of the facts as there certainly were more than two Hembree lines in S.C. however they may trace back to only two lines. Both stories have the family coming to this country from England via Barbados. While the Barbados to VA & N.C. route checks out in history records, I have been unable to find our family immigration traffic directly from Barbados to S.C. If you have heard either of the above stories I would be grateful if you would advise me from whom and when you heard the stories. It may be they will trace back to one source.
NOTICE – ZIP CODES REQUIRED: The post office advises that they will now require the 4 digit addition to your zip code, for future delivery of mail on a timely basis. Accordingly please send me notice of your complete zip code. A card will do but it’s also a good time to send me some family data that you want to share. I will also assume that anyone not returning the zip code info has no further interest in the newsletter.
NEXT SERVICES 106 MILES – That’s what the sign said about 30 miles back when our motor home quit near Green River, Utah. Three days later, repairs made and we were on the road again. During the days of waiting for parts shipment, I could not help thinking about what it must have been like traveling across country in the early days of settlement of the west. How lucky while waiting repairs, to wait in an air conditioned motel, eat in restaurants, and watch baseball games on TV, or work on the research records I had obtained in Fort Worth. Compare that to a broken wagon wheel, miles from nowhere, with limited supplies and time pressing to get over the mountains before snowfall.
Made me realize how lucky we are to live in this age, even though I think I would have enjoyed being a pioneer. Anyway, we returned home after 2 months of hot humid weather which we did not enjoy one iota. We did however enjoy the family reunion and the opportunity to visit family and relatives we rarely see and to meet new ones. This reunion was mostly a lazy resort type of visit instead of a go go go camp. While we enjoyed the trip, I discovered my desk did not take a vacation, and I am using the following notice in lieu of letter writing. I trust the foregoing will explain my delay in responding to some letters.
He received 400 acres in Granville County, NC. In 1754/55 he is on the Muster Roll of Capt. John Sallis Co., Granville County, NC and in 1760 he had a land grant on Bluewing Creek, Orange County, NC. (Present day Person Co.) During this period of eleven years he is in the same area as James #2, and John as they all owned land there.
Sometime between 1760 and 1768, David, James #2, John & other Hembree’s moved to the northwestern portion of the State of SC. David’s land grant of 200 acres on Jamey’s Creek was surveyed on 24 Nov. 1767 and granted on 5 Jul 1768 so we know he was there for at least a period of time before the survey date. James, William, John & other Hembree’s are also in the same area about the same time. David’s land was in what is now Spartanburg County, a few miles from James and William's lands. He later sold this land and moved to what is now Anderson County, SC in the area of 26 mile Creek.
Two very interesting things about the Deeds of Grants to David’s lands in SC. 1. The land grant in Spartanburg County specified Quit Rents for 10 years beginning 29 Jul. 1768, which tells us this, was a passage grant. If my research is correct, this is the same as the head rights in VA where the person was given 50 acres of land to come to this country if he paid his own passage, otherwise it was given to another for that passage. Although I only have a summary of David’s grant, James grant which I presume was the same as David’s, was given by King George the 3rd. Later, when SC was clearing the records ending the free land for passage, David’s name appears on the list so we know it was passage land. 2. On a Deed in 1803 when David deeded 30 acres to Edward Hembree, it states “Part of original land grant deeded by William Hembree to David Hembree”. (This deed was not recorded until 1817 when Edward deeded the land to Lucy Davis). Each of the foregoing raises a question. QUESTION #1: Why were David and James receiving land for passage? They were born in VA. If they were the people I’m sure they were. QUESTION #2: This question has two parts, first, which William & which Edward? Second, does anyone have anything on the original grant to William and or David? (This is land on 26 mile Creek). We can be fairly certain that David moved from Spartanburg County to Anderson County sometime between 1779 and 1790, as he served on the Jury in Spartanburg County in 1779 and was on the 1790 Census of Pendleton (Anderson County) with his wife, but he did not sell the Spartanburg property until 1791.
Later census prove Edward to be the same as the Edward from Halifax, VA which means that Edward, John, James and David were all in the Halifax area and again in the same general area of SC. The John referred to here, is David’s brother not his grandson.
The 1800 Census show David & wife in Anderson County, SC and the last recorded record is the administration of his estate in 1809 which continued for may years.
NOTICE: if you received this newsletter and wonder why, then others who thought you would be interested in it submitted your name. Since there were several names added this time, I am taking this opportunity to advise of the requirements if you care to receive future editions. 1. You must be a Hembree or prove you’re a descendent of one. A family group chart will suffice or a letter if one is not available. 2. You agree to share any genealogical information you possess concerning any Hembree. 3. You agree to pay the postage if you can afford it. Otherwise there is no cost at this time. I may charge for future editions, as it is growing rapidly, and becoming expensive. Also, you’re invited to submit family information for publication. The family means any Hembree line as well as your own direct ancestors.
QUERY: Who is C. Bolton Hembree? Reportedly possesses a Bible giving the date of death of Joel Hembree, Sr., and other info. Anyone having a copy of the bible data, or knows the address of C. Bolton, please advise.
More next time and Happy Holidays.
WARNING: The family of James Jr. lacks proof and is incomplete
Families of Susanna Pitts, Eliz. Butler & Peggy Welch were supplied by others and believed to be correct but not verified by me.
This edition is being mailed to all known Hembree descendents in California to again advise of the first ever attempt to bring together all the existing lines of the Hembree family in America. The original idea was a California gathering of the clan, so to speak, but Phyllis (Mrs. Grant Hembree) asked for the mailing list for the newsletter and from your replies we will be seeing some of you in the beautiful mountains of California. Locals do not need this advice, but others may wish to know that the reunion will be held within three hours drive of Yosemite National Park, San Francisco Bay area, or the beach at Santa Cruz. You may wish to plan a vacation around one of these areas either before or after the reunion. If anyone has yet to visit California it is a beautiful place to spend some of that money you’re dying to get rid of.
To accommodate the planning we ask that you not only advise Phyllis that you plan to attend, but that you complete and return the blank copy of the worksheet enclosed to accommodate some family lines planning, and maybe help you to meet a new cousin. If the turn out is a large one, I plan to color code some lineage badges as most of the members present will need to get acquainted but we hope that will not be the feeling at the end of the reunion. It will be necessary that the worksheets be returned to me, no later that 31 Jan. 1991. The worksheets will be helpful even if you can’t make this event.
REMEMBER THIS IS FAMILY ONLY, THERE IS NO PROFIT MAKING INVOLVED. IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE NOTIFY PHYLLIS.
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My Name D/Birth D/Death Name of Spouse D/Birth D/Death
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Fathers Name D/Birth D/Death Spouse Father D/Birth D/Death
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Mothers Name D/Birth D/Death Spouse Mother D/Birth D/Death
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Fathers Fathers Name D/Birth D/Death Spouse Fathers Father D/Birth D/Death
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Fathers Mothers Name D/Birth D/Death Spouse Mothers Mother D/Birth D/Death
My Brothers & Sisters D/Birth D/Death Spouse Fathers Father D/Birth D/Death
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My Fathers Bro & Sisters D/Birth D/Death Spouse Fathers Bro & Sis D/Birth D/Death
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My Mothers Bro & Sisters D/Birth D/Death Spouse Fathers Bro & Sis D/Birth D/Death
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List any additional ancestors, and your descendents on a blank sheet of paper and attach hereto. Include any additional information you desire and return to: B.D. Hembree, 11819 Maple St., Whittier, Calif. 90601-2746 prior to 31 Jan. 1991.
(the following page 34 is out of context in our copies of RBL...it is being presented in its format as we received it)
