Capt. William ABNEY

     Capt. William ABNEY was born on 5 May 1736 in Henrico County, Virginia, son of George ABNEY and Unity (?).^1,2 He was a surveyor. He was a devisee of his father of lands in Virginia and grantee of lands on the Saluda River in South Carolina; and moved to that state in 1774 as a planter.
     William married Mary CLARK circa 1756.
     William began military service in 1756 in Amelia County, Virginia, serving as a foot soldier under Captains Henry Anderson and John Winne in defense of the colony of Virginia during the French and Indian War. He again appeared on an Amelia County militia roster in Sep 1758.³
     William married second Elizabeth Burnham after 1756.
     Capt. William ABNEY was named an heir in the will of his father, George ABNEY, dated in 1765 in Halifax County, Virginia.⁴
     Capt. William ABNEY bought land from an unknown person on 14 February 1772 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. William received a land grant 14 February 1772 on old Ninety-Six Road near Saluda River.
     Capt. William ABNEY began military service between 1776 and 1782 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. During the Revolution he served as a lieutenant and captain in the South Carolina Militia under Gen. Andrew Pickens. He also served as a lieutenant in the 3rd Continental Regiment during 1777. He served seven years during the war, including service under his brother, Captain Nathaniel Abney. A report of the militia and volunteers on duty in the fortified camp at Ninety-Six on Sunday, the 19th of November, 1775, under the command of Major Andrew Williamson, William was mentioned as an officer under Major Mayson and his thirty-seven Rangers.^5,6
     Capt. William ABNEY died on 4 January 1832 in Edgefield (now Saluda) County, South Carolina, at age 95.⁵ He was buried in Abney Family Cemetery.