Category: South Carolina

Alexander McWilliams/Williams c1798 Ireland & Laurens, South Carolina

9/30/2023

Alexander McWilliams/Williams was born in Ireland about 1798. In 1850 he lived in Laurens, South Carolina with Martha (possibly his wife) and enslaved four people.

Sources
(all accessed 30 Sept. 2023)
South Carolina Naturalizations 1783-1850 (Laurens County) Compiled by Brent Halcomb
1850 US Federal Census Laurens, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8QJ-VQH
1850 Slave Schedule Laurens, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HRWC-GVW2

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William Ransom c1788 Ireland & Anderson, South Carolina

9/26/2023

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William Ransom was born about 1788 in Ireland. He lived in Anderson, South Carolina in 1850 with Catherine Ransom (possibly his wife). He enslaved one man aged 55.

Sources
(all accessed 26 Sept. 2023)
1850 US Federal Census Anderson, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8Q8-VDN
1850 Slave Schedule Anderson, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HRW4-PGZM

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A S Cardwell c1795- Ireland & Beaufort, South Carolina

9/22/2023

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A S Cardwell was a ship's captain and was born in Ireland about 1795. In 1850 he lived with Elizabeth and Ann (poss. his wife and daughter) born in the West Indies in Beaufort, South Carolina. He enslaved four people.

Sources
(all accessed 22 Sept. 2023)
1850 US Federal Census Beaufort, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8QD-CC7
1850 Slave Schedule Beaufort, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HRWH-9TN2

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James Redd c1768 Ireland & Newberry County, South Carolina

9/19/2023

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James Redd was born in Ireland about 1768. In 1850, he was living in Newberry County, South Carolina with Ginetta (his wife) and daughter Margaret. At that time he enslaved ten people, the youngest was a little boy aged four.

Sources
(all accessed 19 Sept. 2023)
1850 US Federal Census Newberry, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8QV-RTS
1850 Slave Schedule Newberry, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HRWZ-76W2

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Samuel Warnack 1818- Ireland & Newberry County, South Carolina

9/19/2023

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Samuel Warnack, a silversmith, was born in Ireland about 1818. In 1850, he lived in Newberry, South Carolina with his wife Susannah and eldest daughter both born in Ireland and baby daughter Shannon born in South Carolina in 1850. At the same time he enslaved a woman aged 25 and a five year old girl.

Sources
(all accessed 19 Sept. 2023)
1850 US Federal Census Newberry, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8QV-2WK
1850 Slave Schedule Newberry, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HRWZ-3HPZ

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James Eagan or Egon 1790- of Ireland and Lexington, South Carolina

8/30/2023

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Transcription
'We are now busy dividing crops - closing contracts for 1865 and making new agreements for 1866. Complaints of injustice are very numerous- there are also gangs of Bushwackers in the district of the Upper Country - who rob and beat the freedpersons unmercifully - also two (2) murders, in Laurence District. All such cases we have referred to the Pro. Courts for action. ___
James Egon, a citizen of Lexington, is to be imprisoned for life at Albany, NY (Gen. Ames decision) He murdered 'General Egon', a Freedman.'
Freedmens Bureau records 5 Dec 1865 South Carolina

On 24 Sept. 1865, General Egon was murdered in Lexington. He was shot to death 'feloniously and with malice aforethought' according to the court that presided over the trial of the accused. The clerk at the Freedmens Bureau, quoted above, described the murder as occurring against a backdrop of numerous injustices perpetrated against Freedpersons including robbery and 'unmerciful' beatings. The man found guilty of General Egon's murder was James Eagan (or Egon), an Irish-born slaveholder.
The court was presided over by General Adelbert Ames, then a Union Army General and later U.S. Senator for Mississippi. Ames sentenced James Eagan to life imprisonment in solitary confinement at Albany Penitentiary in New York.
On 16 May 1866, James Eagan was deemed to be illegally imprisoned by Samuel Nelson, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in New York and two days later he was released from Albany Penitentiary, New York. Upon his return to South Carolina, Eagan was again arrested by the Military. On 28 June 1866, the Yorkville Enquirer, reported that Eagan was released by order of President Johnson.
After months of online research the only information I have about General Egon, apart from the date of his death, is information about the man who murdered him. I don't know General Egon's age or who his parents were. I don't know if he had a wife and children. I don't know the exact circumstances of his death, whether it happened in a private struggle between the men or whether it happened in public and therefore is more rightly described as a lynching. I can't even tell you where he is buried. I can only tell you that he was murdered 'on or about' 24 Sept. 1865.

The Daily Phoenix Columbia 3 Dec. 1865

The Daily Phoenix Columbia 2 June 1866

James Eagan/Egon was born in Ireland about 1790. In 1850, he was living with his wife Susanna (poss. Steedman. b. abt. 1799, SC), his son John S (b. abt. 1832, SC), his son Daniel G (b. abt. 1833, SC) and daughter Louisa (b. abt. 1836, SC) in Lexington, South Carolina. James Eagan's Real Estate was valued at $124 in 1850.
The eleven people he enslaved were recorded according to age, the oldest was a woman aged 37 and the youngest was a new-born baby girl. In 1860, Eagan enslaved thirteen people, the oldest recorded was a woman aged 40 and the youngest a baby boy aged one year. Eagan's nearest neighbour in 1860 was a Jonathan Egon (possibly his son) who enslaved a 25 year old woman and three childen aged 5, 4 and 1.
In 1860 James Eagan's Real Estate was valued at $3000 and his Personal Estate (which included enslaved people) at $15,000. His neighbour and possible son Jonathan, recorded as an overseer, had Real Estate of $1,500 and Personal Estate of $4,000.
Louisa Eagan (b. abt 1836) married Robert Brogden in 1855 and was a member of Mount Ebal Baptist Church at the time of her death in 1858. Her sister Matilda, wife of Bazil Hartley died in 1900 and is buried at Bateburg Cemetery, Lexington County.
Their brother John S Eagan(b. abt 1832) died in 1863. He was a member of Company F, Palmetto SS. Within months, John's daughter Anna Louisa died aged 1yr and 5 months. They are both buried in the Eagan Family Cemetery in Leesville, Lexington. According to Probate records, Daniel G Eagan died intestate in 1864. His father James Eagan, his sister Martha Hartley & her husband Bazil Hartley, his sister Mary Gregory (died 1875, buried Gregory Cemetery, Aiken County, SC) & her husband William Gregory petitioned the Court for the division of the proceeds of the sale of Daniel G's property of 230 acres.

Edgefield Advertiser 30 June 1858

Sources
(all links accessed 31 Aug. 2023)
1850 US Federal Census Lexington, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8QV-PZ1
1850 Slave Schedule Lexington, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HRWC-B96Z
1860 US Federal Census Lexington, SC
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZTD-C6L
1860 Slave Schedule Lexington, SC
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WKRC-Z3PZ
John S Eagan
peoplelegacy.com/pvt_john_s_eagan-3R3t0g
Daniel S Eagan in the South Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records (1670-1980) (ancestry.com).
Edgefield Advertiser 30 June 1858
The Daily Phoenix Columbia 3 Dec. 1865
The Daily Phoenix Columbia 2 June 1866
The Yorkville Enquirer 28 June 1866
Equal Justice Initiative, “Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror” (3d Ed. 2017).

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Samuel Irwin of Antrim, Ireland & Abbeville, South Carolina

2/18/2023

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South Carolina Naturalizations 1783-1850 compiled by Brent H Holcomb, Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., Baltimore Maryland 1985

,
Samuel Irwin was reputedly born in Antrim, Ireland about 1780 and died in Abbeville, South Carolina about 1859. In 1850 he was living in Saluda Regiment, Abbeville with his wife Elizabeth, his granddaughter Ellen F Spellors and his sister Isabella Cowan.
His Will dated Sept. 1852 acknowledged only two children, Jane Irwin Purdy and James Irwin. Samuel Irwin also made provision for his wife Elizabeth, grandaughters Ellen/Eleanor Spellors, Elizabeth A, Margaret A and Sarah G Purdy, grandsons Samuel and Robert Irvin, James H Purdy, Samuel A Purdy, William A Purdy and Samuel's sister Isabella Cowan.
As he directed what was to become of the people he enslaved, Samuel Irwin named the following family groups:
Kiza & her children Tilda & Mary Elizabeth
Little Bet & her children , Charlotte, Emma, Laura, Jane, Anna, Henry, Margaret
Polly & her daughters Allsy, Louisa, Froney also known as Dos, & her son Israel
He also named Newman, his 'manservant'.
In spite of acknowledging the enslaved childrens' mothers, Samuel Irwin intended each enslaved child to be given to each of his grandchildren upon their coming of age. In this way, he compounded further the break up of the families he enslaved.
In the 1870 Census for Abbeville County, there are 14 Black Americans with the surname Irwin or variants. Although we cannot know what names the families chose after Emancipation it is interesting to note that there are two Betties enumerated, one of whom was born about 1838.
Sources
1830 US Federal Census
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YY1-9H2B?i=47&cc=1803958
1840 US Federal Census
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YB7-VHF?i=147&cc=1786457
1850 US Federal Census
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-69T3-YXQ?i=263&cc=1401638&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AM8Q8-V58
1850 Slave Schedule
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HRW4-1R6Z
Bettie Irving b.1838 in the 1870 US Federal Census
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8TS-SM2
South Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980, ancestry.com (accessed 14 Feb. 2023)
South Carolina Naturalizations 1783-1850, compiled by Brent H Holcomb, Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., Baltimore Maryland 1985
Abbeville Banner 24 Nov. 1859

South Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980 , ancestry.com (accessed 14 Feb. 2023)

Abbeville Banner 24 Nov 1859 (accessed 18 Feb. 2023)

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Adeline Cabean Brown, Fairfield County

4/10/2022

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Image 131 of Federal Writers' Project: Slave Narrative Project, Vol. 14, South Carolina, Part 1, Abrams-Durant

Adeline Cabean, born about 1844 in Fairfield County, South Carolina was the daughter of Charity, an enslaved woman and Richard Cabean (b. 1813), an Irish overseer. Adeline married John Clowney Brown, born 1855, in the 1870s, and in 1880 was recorded in the U.S. Federal Census as the mother of four children: Jane L Brown born 1872, Willie born 1876, Robert born 1877 and John born 1879.
In 1900, Adeline & John Brown were still living in Blackstock Town which straddles Fairfield County and Chester County. Their children were recorded as Louisa C born 1873, Lee born 1880, a son Merriam born 1881, George born 1885, Annie born 1888, Sallie B born 1893, Wylie born 1895 and a daughter Willie F born 1896. Adeline is recorded as the mother of 14 children of whom only eight are living.
Next door to them in 1900, William Brown (1867), his wife Manda, daughters Hattie & Fannie M and sons Anner, Johnnie & Lawrence were living. Other near neighbours included the Young, Lewis, Strong, Reed, Mobley and Dunbar (who were Irish-born) families.
By 1910, John and Adeline had only one child living at home, their son Wylie and a woman named Louisa Coleman identified as John's stepdaughter. Louisa Coleman appears to be the same woman as Louisa C born 1873 recorded as their daughter in 1900. The families of Henry L Brown and Eyerabim Brown, living nearby would need to be researched to see if they are the children of John and Adeline.
In 1920, John and Adeline's daughter Willie had returned to live at home with their son?? Hayman recorded as born in 1907. In this Census, Adeline's father's place of birth is finally recorded as Ireland. Adeline ia also recorded as eleven years older than her husband which ties in with his statement to Dixon of the Federal Writers Project.
In 1930, John and Adeline were living together in the same place but Adeline's name is recorded as Emmaline.
The Census of 1940 recorded John C Brown as a widower living with his daughter Annie and his son-in-law Charley Coleman (b. 1885) who was also the informant at John's death in 1946. The families of Charlie, Jim and Blake Curbeam are their nearest neighbours. This is another research avenue as when Wylie Brown died in 1938, his mother Adeline was recorded not as Adeline Cabean but Adline Curbeans.

Adeline Cabean and her mother Charity were formerly enslaved by the family of Robert Cheyne Clowney (1838-1885) who was born in Co. Down, Ireland and died in Fairfield County. Robert was the son of John Clowney (1791-1848).

Sources
Federal Writers Project John C Brown www.loc.gov/resource/mesn.141/?sp=130
1850 U.S. Federal Census Richard Cabean www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8QN-CBV
1870 U.S. Federal Census Robert Clowney www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8RJ-DHG
1880 U.S. Federal Census www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6S8-6RQ
1900 U.S. Federal Census www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3RR-XMP
1910 U.S. Federal Census www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XMB9-NT8
1920 U.S. Federal Census www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6Z6-6DR
1930 U.S. Federal Census www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SPC4-N7T
1940 U.S. Federal Census www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4DS-TVN
Death Certificate 1946 John Clowney Brown www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FPMX-3JP
Death Certificate 1938 Wylie Brown www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N9JH-2G8

The Fairfield news and herald 20 May 1885

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Thomas J Flinn (1798-1865) of Dublin, Ireland & Darlington County, South Carolina

3/11/2022

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The New Era 23 Aug1865

Thomas Joseph Flinn was born in Dublin, Ireland about 1798 and died in South Carolina in 1865. In 1850, he enslaved eighteen human beings: nine men and boys ranging in age from 1-55 and nine women ranging in age from 3-50. He was a physician and his Real Estate was valued at $6,750.
His wife Eliza Zimmerman was born in South Carolina about 1801. His son Henry (born abut 1826 in SC) was also a physician and his daughter Ellen was born about 1839 also in SC.
By 1860, Flinn's Personal Estate had increased in value to $45,627. He enslaved thirty-four human beings who are listed not in family groups but by gender only in 1860. In the same year, Flinn's son Henry Kirk White Flinn (1826-1872) enslaved sixty-seven men, women and children also in Darlington County.

Sources
1850 US Federal Census, Darlington, South Carolina
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8QN-SS9
1850 Slave Schedule, Darlington, South Carolina (trans. Flina)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HRWC-S4ZM
1860 US Federal Census, Darlington, South Carolina
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZTF-HSC
1860 Slave Schedule Darlington, South Carolina
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WKTF-4BZM
1860 Slave Schedule, Darlington, South Carolina
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WKTX-5GMM
Memorial
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65949890/thomas-joseph-flinn

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Florence O'Sullivan, Kinsale & South Carolina

3/21/2021

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Florence O'Sullivan, the soldier, was on the first voyage into the Carolina Colony in 1670. He was originally from Kinsale, Co. Cork and had lived in Barbados and in St. Margaret, Westminster, London prior to settling in the Carolina Colony. He was appointed surveyor of the Colony by Lords Proprietors, was appointed to the Council and the Assembly and also acted as deputy to Sir Peter Colleton. He arrived with indentured servants William Bevin, John Dale, Elizabeth Dimmock, Brian Fitzpatrick, John Mare, John Scott, Teigue Shugeron, Daniel Sullivan, and George White. Brian Fitzpatrick, became a landowner in his own right following his indenture.
By 1673, O'Sullivan had been replaced by John Culpepper as surveyor, owing to numerous complaints. However, he served in the Militia from 1672-76 and as Commissioner of Public Accounts 1682-3. A total of two thousand four hundred acres along the Ashley River had been confirmed to him by 1680. After 1683, it has not been possible to find information readily about O'Sullivan. It is possible that he returned to Barbados. Sullivan's Island, once the quarantine place for enslaved people upon arrival in South Carolina and now a modern day wealthy suburb of Charleston, is named for him.

Sources
St. Julien Childs, 'The First South Carolinians' in The South Carolina Historical Magazine, 71:2 (April 1970), pp 101-8.
Patrick Melvin, 'Captain Florence O'Sullivan and the origins of South Carolina' in The South Carolina Historical Magazine, 76:4 (Oct. 1975), pp 235-249.
Arthur Mitchell, South Carolina Irish, (Charleston, 2011).

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Alexander McWilliams/Williams c1798 Ireland & Laurens, South Carolina

William Ransom c1788 Ireland & Anderson, South Carolina

A S Cardwell c1795- Ireland & Beaufort, South Carolina

James Redd c1768 Ireland & Newberry County, South Carolina

Samuel Warnack 1818- Ireland & Newberry County, South Carolina

James Eagan or Egon 1790- of Ireland and Lexington, South Carolina

Samuel Irwin of Antrim, Ireland & Abbeville, South Carolina

Adeline Cabean Brown, Fairfield County

Thomas J Flinn (1798-1865) of Dublin, Ireland & Darlington County, South Carolina

Florence O'Sullivan, Kinsale & South Carolina

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