William James and Elizabeth --- of Marion Co, SC

William James was probably born ca 1750 or earlier. I don't have a good handle on his possible birth date, but his widow Elizabeth was age 45+ on the 1800 census, so she was born before 1755, so I suspect he was as well.

At the time William James was born (ca 1750), the area now known as Marion County was part of Craven County, SC. In those days the county designations were only used for location purposes, and had no organized governments of their own. William was probably born in that area where many James' lived in what is now Williamsburg County, or perhaps within the bounds of modern Marion County. I don't have enough information yet to be sure.

I don't have any idea (yet) who William's parents might have been. There were many James' listed in the records of the Welsh Settlement (in the 1730's and after), including others named "William James", but I don't know how, or if, my William James is connected to any of them.

In 1769 Georgetown District was created, replacing Craven County in this region.

William James married Elizabeth --- ca 1780 or earlier. I don't have any clues as to her maiden name. She was born before 1755 (per 1800 census), though whether in present Marion County, or somewhere else, I can't say.

William James did not show up on the 1778 Jury List for Prince George Parish, so he was either not there yet, or just not a landowner.

He was listed on the 1786 Tax list for Georgetown District, SC, listed in Captain Stephen Godbold's company. He was listed with 640 acres and 3 negroes. The other names on this list make it clear this was probably the area now known as Reaves Township, though there is no way to be sure.

The fact that he had 640 acres by 1786 means there should be deeds or land grants in his name. Records at that time were kept at the Colony level, and filed in Charleston. I'll have to check for some of these early records.

William James was listed on the 1790 census in Georgetown District, SC in Prince George Parish. This census was alphabetical, so we can't determine who his neighbors were, but there were three other James families listed, including Absolom James, John James and John James Jr. William still had 3 slaves (just as in 1786).

On 22 Oct 1791 William James "Blacksmith" sold 100 acres of land to James and Benjamin Rolands. The land was on the south side of Maidendown Swamp and Sister Branch. Witnesses included Stephen Welch and Robert Rollins. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book A page 72).

On 18 May 1793 William James witnessed a deed between Moses Martin and David Martin, for land on Maidendown Swamp. Other witnesses were Elias Miller and Elise Martin. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book B page 342).

The record dated 1793 above is the last record I have of William James alive. He died sometime between then and 1799.

In 1798 Marion District was created from the northwestern part of Georgetown District. Marion, at that time covered all of present Marion, plus Dillon County and about half of modern Florence County.

On 16 Mar 1799, James James, Elizabeth James, Mary James, Sarah James and Ann James sold 125 acres on the north side of Maidendown Swamp to William Burket. This was part of a 640 acre grant to William James dated 15 Feb 1786. All of the grantors signed with an "X". Witnesses were: Nathan Grice, Charles Powell, and Nathaniel Miller. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book A page 74).

The above deed would seem to be the heirs of William James selling some of the property inherited from him at his death. However, the deed does not state who is who, nor that they are his heirs, but it seems the only explanation.

The 1800 Marion Dist, SC census shows a widow Elizabeth James listed with several children. This seems to be the widow of William James. She was listed between Stephen Welch and William White (see record below dated 27 Sep 1803, naming both of them).

On 27 Sep 1803, Elizabeth James, Stephen Welch, Moarning Welch and William Welch sold several negroes to John and William Baker. The negroes were: woman named Patt & Peter David & Amrit. I don't know if "Peter David" is one person or two. In any event Elizabeth had 4 slaves listed in 1800, so this could be 3 of them, or all 4 being sold. Stephen Welch, who was her neighbor in1800, had no slaves. This deed was witnessed by Joshua Avant and Ann James. This deed implies a relationship to the Welch family. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book B page 294).

The 1803 deed is the last sure record I've found for Elizabeth James. She may have died between 1803 and 1810, though it is possible she was still alive in 1810, though not listed as head of household on the census.

The 1810 census showed three James households in Marion District, including James James, Sarah James and Thomas James. Of these, James James is a son of William and Elizabeth, and Sarah is probably their child as well. At a glance, Sarah James looks like a widow, but I think she was single instead, but with her mother living with her. A natural assumption would be that the oldest female in this household was Sarah James, but that isn't the only interpretation. I think it possible that the oldest person listed is actually Elizabeth, widow of William James. Of course there is no way to be sure without additional information. This household could, in fact, be a widow Sarah James, widow of some unknown James.

The above 1810 census record is the last record I have for Sarah James, and Elizabeth James.

Children

William James and Elizabeth had at least four children, per the 1799 deed mentioned above. The 1790 census entry for William seems to show one additional son.

Unknown Son born before 1774. William James' 1790 census household contained 2 males age 16 and up (born before 1774), one of these was William himself, the other a possible son. This person was not living with with widow Elizabeth James on the 1800 census.

I've long thought this could be Thomas James (c1765/75) who was always near this James family. But if it was him, why was he not a co-signer of the 1799 deed selling some of William's property?

James James was born ca 1774/1780 in Georgetown District, (now Marion), presumably in the Maidendown Swamp area (now Reaves Township). He was a co-signer on the 1799 deed with his mother and sisters, when they sold part of William James' land.

Sarah James was born ca 1774/1784 in Georgetown District, (now Marion), presumably in the Maidendown Swamp area (now Reaves Township). She was a co-signer on the 1799 deed with her mother and siblings, when they sold part of William James' land.

Sarah James (presumably this one) was listed as head of household on the 1810 census, apparently with her mother residing with her (see above).

In the Estate records of Absalom Legette, "Sarah James" was paid from the estate on 19 Jan 1819, though it does not state what she was paid for. It is possible this was a reference to a different Sarah James, but since her brother James James was married to Ann Wood' who had two sisters married to Legettes, it seems reasonable that this is the same Sarah. (Probate Roll # 449, published in "Probate Records, Marion County, South Carolina Volume One", by Lucille Utley, Danny Smith, 1985, page 266).

Mary James was born before 1790 in Georgetown District, (now Marion), presumably in the Maidendown Swamp area (now Reaves Township). She was a co-signer on the 1799 deed with her mother and siblings, when they sold part of William James' land. The 1799 deed is the last record I have for Mary James.

Ann James was born ca 1774/1784 in Georgetown District, (now Marion), presumably in the Maidendown Swamp area (now Reaves Township). She was a co-signer on the 1799 deed with her mother and siblings, when they sold part of William James' land. She was a witness to the 1803 deed where her mother and several Welch's sold slaves. That is the last record I have for Ann James.

Researcher List

1. William¹ James , born abt 1750 in Craven Co, SC (now Marion Co, SC); died 1793/99 in Liberty Co, Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC). He married bef 1784 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC) Elizabeth (---) , born bef 1755; died aft 1810 in Marion Dist, SC.

Children of William James and Elizabeth (---) were as follows:

2 i Sarah² James , born 1774/84 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC); died aft 1810 in Marion Dist, SC.

3 ii Ann² James , born 1774/84 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC); died aft 1803 in Marion Dist, SC.

4 iii Mary² James , born bef 1790 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC).

+ 5 iv James² James , born 1774/80 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC); died aft 1830 in Marion Dist, SC. He married Anne Wood .

Generation 2

5. James² James (William¹), born 1774/80 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC); died aft 1830 in Marion Dist, SC. He married bef 19 Mar 1808 in Marion Dist, SC Anne Wood , born 1784/90 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC); died 1841 in Marion Dist, SC, daughter of John Wood and Sarah B (---) .

Children of James James and Anne Wood were as follows:

+ 6 i Addin W³ James , born 1804/10 in Marion Dist, SC; died Mar 1842 in Marion Dist, SC. He married Celia Jane Phillips .

+ 7 ii Pinkney J³ James , born 25 Nov 1816 in Marion Dist, SC; died 3 Aug 1907 in Marion Co, SC; buried in McMillan Cem, Marion Co, SC. He married (1) Sophie J (---) ; (2) Sarah M (---) .

Generation 3

6. Addin W³ James (James², William¹), born 1804/10 in Marion Dist, SC; died Mar 1842 in Marion Dist, SC. He married in 1830/38 in Marion Dist, SC Celia Jane Phillips , born 1810/11 in Marion Dist, SC; died aft 1880 in Marion Co, SC, daughter of Phillip Phillips and Elizabeth Lewis .

Children of Addin W James and Celia Jane Phillips were as follows:

8 i Mary Jane⁴ James , born 1835/40 in Marion Dist, SC.

9 ii Anna Maria⁴ James , born 1837/38 in Marion Dist, SC.

10 iii William Joseph⁴ James Pvt , born 1841/42 in Marion Dist, SC; died 29 Aug 1862 in Civil War.

11 iv James B⁴ James Pvt , born 1843/44 in Marion Dist, SC.

12 v Robert Evander⁴ James , born 1849/50 in Marion Dist, SC.

13 vi Marion D⁴ James , born 1852/53 in Marion Dist, SC.

7. Pinkney J³ James (James², William¹), born 25 Nov 1816 in Marion Dist, SC; died 3 Aug 1907 in Marion Co, SC; buried in McMillan Cem, Marion Co, SC. He married (1) in 1830/40 in Marion Dist, SC Sophie J (---) , born 16 Jul 1819 in Marion Dist, SC; died 30 Dec 1893 in Marion Co, SC; buried in McMillan Cem, Marion Co, SC; (2) in 1894/95 in Marion Co, SC Sarah M (---) , born Oct 1843 in Marion Dist, SC.

Children of Pinkney J James and Sophie J (---) were as follows:

14 i Laura Virginia⁴ James , born 12 May 1840 in Marion Dist, SC; died 22 Nov 1914 in Marion Co, SC; buried in McMillan Cem, Marion Co, SC.

15 ii Clarisa⁴ James , born 1842/43 in Marion Dist, SC.

16 iii William P⁴ James Pvt , born 1844/45 in Marion Dist, SC.

17 iv Eliza J⁴ James , born 1846/47 in Marion Dist, SC.

18 v Sarah⁴ James , born 1850 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1850/60 in Marion Dist, SC.

19 vi Mary E⁴ James , born 1851/52 in Marion Dist, SC.

20 vii Elly A⁴ James , born 1853/54 in Marion Dist, SC.

21 viii Susan⁴ James , born 1857/58 in Marion Dist, SC.

22 ix Sarah Ella⁴ James , born 29 May 1860 in Marion Dist, SC; died 25 May 1935 in Marion Co, SC; buried in McMillan Cem, Marion Co, SC.