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Our Ancestors' Fairfield Co., SC Wills & Estates

(Ross, Rochelle, Kirkland, Harrison, Whitaker)

Page Updated 17 July 2007

Will of Abner Ross

Estate of James Rochelle

Many Rochelle documents and abstracts generously provided by Sloan Mason

James Rochelle died intestate before 18 August 1802 and his widow Margaret Evans Rochelle was made administrator.

p. 145-147, Margret Rochell applied for admn. on the estate of James Rochell, 28 Aug. 1802. Bond: Margret Rochell, Admx, George Evans, William McGee, securities, 20 Sept 1802, penalty $4000.
17th Sept 1802, Know all men by these presents, that we (Agnes-crossed out) Margret Rochell, George Evans, and William McGee are holden and firmly bound unto John Buchanon, Ordinary for the District Aforesaid in the full and just sum of $4000 dollars , etc.... The condition of the above Obligation is sunch that if the above bound Margaret (Agnes-crossed out) Rochelle, administrax of the goods, chattels, and credits of James Rochele, deceased, do make a true perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased, which have or shall come to the hands, possession or knowledge of the said Agnes Rochelle, etc. . . signed, sealed: J. Buchanon
Margaret Roachell George Evans William McGee

p. 99-90, Warrant of appraisement directed by Margaret Rochell, admx. of estate of James Rochell, to Thos. Starke, Zach Nettles, Darling Jones, David George, Gardner Ford, 20 Sept 1802. Sworn 14 Dec 1802 before John Mickle, J. P., Thomas Starke, Jr., Darling Jones, Zach. Nettles. Order of sale dated, 16 Nov 1802.

p.91-92, Letters of admn. on the estate of James Rochell, granted to Margaret Rochell, 20 Sept 1802. Rec 23 Dec 1802, Bk. 29, p. 434

pp.184-185, Order of sale on the estate of James Rochell decd. 20 Sept 1802.

Whereas I, Margaret Rochelle, by my bond or obligation bearing date 22 Oct 1805 held and firmly bound unto the said George Evans in the penal sum of $4000. with a condition thereunder written for securing the said George Evans and indemnifying him against the damages which he might sustain by his having become security for the said Margaret in an adm. bond by them entered into the Ordinary of Fairfield Co., etc. Now know ye that the said Margaret Rochell for the better securing the said George Evans and for insuring unto him a ----- with performance by me of all things on the condition of the said bond contained by me to be performed have bargained and sold and by these presents do bargain and sell and in plain and open market deliver unto the said George Evans the following negro Slaves: Jimbo, Daff, Denny, Barbey, Sarah, Tobey, Silvey, Charles, Lucy, Isham, Silvey, Hardy, Dinah, Jude, Harry, Reuben, Aggy, Suke, Hannah, Jack, Isaac, Dick, Toney and Garbiel. To have and to hold the above mentioned negro slaves unto the said George Evans, his exec., adm. and assigns forever, provided that if the said Margaret Rochelle shall and do accord ing to the said bond and obligation, keep and perform everything in the condition of bond, then this deed of bargain shall cease and be of no effect. And the said Margaret does promise and agree to the said George Evans that if at any time she fail to keep and perform all and everything in the condition of the agreement that George Evans, or his adm. can take all and every of the said negro slaves into his custody or possession to sell and dispose of at his will and pleasure. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of John Evans, T. Watts, Josiah Evans. Signed: Margaret Rochell

Kershaw Dist. Josiah Evans personally appeared before me and made oath that he was present and saw the named Margaret [Evans] Rochell sign, seal and deliver the winthin instrument of writing and that he together with John Evans and T. Watts in the presence of each other subscribed their names as witness.
Sworn: 3 Sept. 1806 Josiah Evans Abram Blanding, J.P.

 The estate of deceased son John Rochelle was settled along with James ROCHELLE, Sr's. Son John ROCHELLE had no children, he may have been named John Valentine and the first name used . . . However he was likely the single John ROCH living beside James ROCHELLE in 1790. Note George was single in 1790 and in Fairfield along with Valentine, single in Fairfield Co.
The Final Division was made and a report filed by Mrs. Margaret ROCHELLE, widow and dated 17 Aug. 1807. The Estate of son John ROCHELLE was also added to the amounts paid to each heir.

The widow, Margaret ROCHELLE...1/3 estate, 2/3 Estate divided into nine equal shares and paid to each child: Cynthia ROCHELLE, Tabitha ROCHELLE. (middle name prob. Dorcas), James ROCHELLE, Jr., Margaret ROCHELLE, Jr.; Arabella ROCHELLE wife of John PEAY, Helen ROCHELLE, George ROCHELLE, Charlotte ROCHELLE, Anderson ROCHELLE, John ROCHELLE, decd., his equal share to his siblings.

Margaret out-lived her husband more than forty years, during which she bought and sold various pieces of property. For example, on 30 Jan 1830 she gave a deed of gift of certain slaves to her son George Rochelle, and on the same date to his children "for love and affection."

Mrs. Margaret M. Rochelle of Fairfield County . . . a deed of gift with love and affection I bear towards the Children (not named) of my son, George Rochelle, a certain slave . . .

James and Margaret Rochelle had four sons: John, who died single ca 1805, James Jr., Anderson (by James's 1st wife Sylvia Jordan), and George. From dowers on deeds, James Jr's wife was Nancy, Anderson Rochelle's wife was [Nancy] Ann [Harrison], and George Rochelle's wife was Elizabeth. Margaret gave deeds of gift to her sons James Rochelle and [stepson] Anderson Rochelle, but did not leave them anything since they had been provided for by their father.
Preceding Margaret in death was her daughter Helen.

Margaret Evans Rochelle

Margaret's will dated 10 September 1842, probated 9 December 1847 in Camden, Kershaw County, named as legatees her daughters Cynthia Rochelle, Arabella E. Peay, Charlotte Kennedy, and grandsons Thomas and James D. Stark, sons of Margaret Stark. She did not mention her daughter Dorcas, wife of George Peay. The estate was appraised by William L. Pickett, James Harrison, W. B. Huckabee, and John Robertson.

 Kershaw District, S.C. - 10 Sept. 1842 - In the name of God Amen. I MARGARET ROCHELLE of Kershaw district in the State of S.C. being weak of body but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding, thanks be to God for the same, do make this may last will and Testament in manner and form following: I give and bequeath unto THOMAS STARKE and JAMES D. STARKE the following negro slaves viz: PHILLIS, MICHAEL, RACHEL, ALFRED and HANNAH and their increase to hold to them the said THOMAS STARK and JAMES D. STARKE their executors and adm. in trust and upon the special confidence that they or the survivor of them or the exec. or adm. of such survivor shall permit my daughter CHARLOTTE L. KENNEDY during her life to have and retain the possession of the said negro slaves, and their increase and to have and enjoy the use and benefit of their labor in such manner that the said negro slaves and their increase shall in no way or in any manner be liable for any debts contract default or liability of her husband JOHN A. KENNEDY: and upon this further trust and special confidence that from and immediately after the death of the said CHARLOTTE L. KENNEDY the said THOMAS STARKE and JAMES D. STARKE or the survivor of them or the executor or adm. of such survivor shall stand possessed of the said negro slaves and their increase to the use and for the benefit of their heirs of the body of the said CHARLOTTE L. KENNEDY who may be living at the time of her death, to be divided among the said heirs of her body share and share alike. I give my daughter MARGARET L. STARKE negro slaves BETTY and BOB and one half of my household furniture to her and her heirs forever.

I give to my daughters ARABELLA E. PEAY and CYNTHIA ROCHELLE to be equally divided between them the balance that may be left of the money that may be due me for negro heir after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses and the expence of proving this my Will and to my said daughter ARABELLA E. PEAY I give also the other half of my household furniture; and I do make nominate and appoint the said THOMAS STARKE and JAMES D. STARKE executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all and every other will and wills at any time heretofore by me made; and do declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 10th day of Sept. in the year of our Lord 1842.

Signed sealed declared and published by the above named MARGARET ROCHELLE the testatrix as and for her last Will and testament.

Margaret ROCHELLE (seal)

In the presence of us who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses:
H. H. CLARKE, JOHN ROBERTSON, M. F. ROBERTSON, L. A. GOODWYN

Probated 9 Dec. 1848 Kershaw District, SC Will Book A, p. 118


Nancy Kirkland Harrison Graves

After the death of William Harrison, his widow Nancy Ann Kirkland married 2nd a Mr. John Graves. It was written, "As evidence of the favorable character of the climate are in many instances of longevity, which have been found in the district . . . Mrs. Graves, mother of Mr. Reuben Harrison, at upwards of 100 years."

On 8 January 1813, she gave a gift deed to her son Reuben:

 DEED OF GIFT, State of SC, Fairfield Dist, Know awl men by these presents that I ANN GRAVES of the State and District above mentioned do by this presents give an bequeth unto my Son REUBEN HARRISON Six Negroes. Namely, DAVID, GOVERNOR and MASSINTRIN, FRANK, DANIEL and BOB, and all my Cattle and awl of my movible property. to his ownly use and Behoof forever. on the account of my Son REUBIN having paid up all the rest of my Children the full amount of their parts of my Estate and having Supported me in my old age. and having his papers Burnt in his house, the Receipts of the Same from awl the remainder of my Children, in witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal the Eighth day of January in the year of my Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Thirteen the Thirty Eighth year of independence of America. Signed sealed in the presents of us who at her Request and at her presents have hereunto subscribed our Names.

ANN (her X mark) GRAVES

THOMAS BRIGGS
KEZIAH BURGE
ANN TRABBAT
Personally appeared before me DARLING JONES, J. G____m & THOMAS BRIGGS . . .

Recorded 29 Mar 1816

 

Reuben Harrison

We had a death date for Reuben of 13 Mar 1835 (don't know the origin of that), and if so, he signed this the day he died.

WILL OF REUBEN HARRISON
South Carolina §
Fairfield District §
In the name of God, Amen, I REUBEN HARRISON of the State & District aforesaid, being of sound mind & disposing memory, do make & ordrain this my last will and testament.
In consideration of the care and attention bestowed on me by my wife NANCY HARRISON. I give and bequeath unto my said Wife the four following Negro Slaves, namely, HARRY & his wife. MARIA, and their two children LETTY and PEGGY, with the increase of the females, also, my riding Horse, for her use & behoof for and during her natural life only. These slaves I give in addition to what I settled on her in her marriage contract. From and after the death of my wife the Slaves given to her above in this will, and the future increase of the females are to return to my Son DAVID HARRISON, his heirs and assigns forever.

As I have already given to my three childrfen, namely, KIRKLAND HARRISON, FRANCES BREVARD, and DAVID HARRISON, all that I ever intended for their share or part of my estate except the revision in those negroes above mentioned, they are to have no part in my present property or Estate. The remainder of my estate that I have not already given off I wish divided as follows.- That is to say, To the children of WILLIAM HARRISON, for their sole use and benefit, one Seventh part, share & share alike- To RICHARD B. HARRISON one Seventh part. To JOHN HARRISON one Seventh part. To the children of WILLOUGHBY HARRISON, one Seventh part, share and share alike. To JAMES HARRISON one Seventh part, to my Daughter NANCY ROCHELLE the wife of ANDERSON ROCHELLE, one Seventh part. and to my Daughter MARY MOORES, the wife of CHARLES MOORES one Seventh part. But I wish it distinctly understood that my Son DAVID is to keep and remain in quiet possession of all my Negroes, Horses & mules, except those given my wife, until he has paid the last dollar for the land he purchased of JOHN J. MICKLE. And I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my Son DAVID HARRISON as the Sole Executor of this my last will and Testament, revoking all other wills and Testaments whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this Thirteenth day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred & thirty-five.
The name William interlined before signed.
Signed, Sealed published and declared by the said REUBEN HARRISON, to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence & that of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto . . his

Reuben (H) Harrison {Seal}

JOS. MICKLE mark
JOSIAH B. FURMAN
JAMES W. ROCHELL Proved June 24, 1836
John R. Buchanan, O. F. D.
Recorded in Book No. 14, p. 359 (date not found), Apt. 52 File 808

Reuben's health had apparently declined so that he was able only to make his mark on this Will, rather than signing as on earlier documents. I was hoping for a Final Settlement to show where the heirs all lived, but there was none, just an Inventory and Appraisement signed by A. J. PEAY, Abraham D. JONES, Thos. ROBERTSON, Thos. C. BRYANT.

[NOTE that Thomas Robertson married Abner Ross's daughter Harriot; Thos. C. Bryant married Mary Ann Rochelle, dau. of Nancy Ann Harrison & Anderson Rochelle; Austin F. Peay was a grandson of James Rochelle & 2nd wife Margaret Evans - son of James's daughter, Tabitha Dorcas Leonora Rochelle. Peay's daughter married a Mickle.]

The Inventory and Appraisement dated 10 July 1835, listed the following 63 slaves:
Leonard, Pleasant, Mary, Anderson, Rochelle, Celia, Tom, Wanctom (?blurred), Bob Brown, Lucy, Dorcas, Edmund, Nelly, Nancy, Little Edmund, Amy, Jesse, Winney, Hobes, Cynda, Emma, Luvinia, Tony, Lawrence, John, Adaline, Spencer, Old Doctor, Pimbu(?), Dr. Zork, Titus blind, Mary, Mariah, Letty, Peggy, Jim, Pembie (?), Buster, Miles, Lonnon, Aaron, Drucilla, Drucilla Jr., Susan, Hinly, Madis, Martin, Bob Tucker, Daniel, Amy, William, Caroline, Old Toney, Bob, Milly, Anna, Patty, Billar, Abbey, March, Old Lilly, Old Tom, Old George, Ole Finely (Tilley?).
Their appraised value each ranged from 000 for OLD DOCTOR, $20 for TITUS-blind, to $700 for several males, $950 for NANCY, and $1200 for JOHN.

These names might help someone identify his or her ancestors.

Anderson & Nancy Ann (Harrison) Rochelle, their son Dr. James Rochelle, their daughters Mary Ann and Sarah E. J. Rochelle and husbands Thomas C. Bryant and James W. Ross, and James W's brother John A. Ross went to Perry Co., AL.

 

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