Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Samuel Gladney

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Descendants of Samuel Gladney

Generation No. 1

1. Samuel⁴ Gladney (Richard³, William², Richard¹) was born 1737 in Kinbally, Skerry Parish, County Antrim, Ireland, and died 24 October 1799 in Winnsboro, Fairfield County SC. He married Agnes McCreight 1760 in Ireland, daughter of William McCreight and Agnes Smith. She was born 1745 in Ireland, and died Aft. 1840 in Fairfield County SC.

Notes for Samuel Gladney:
Samuel, oldest son of the widow Jane Wilson Gladney, was thirty years old at the time he left Ireland. He married Agnes McCreight in 1760, the daughter of William and Agnes Smith McCreight. Their first son, Patrick, was six years old; Mary, their daughter, was four; and the second son, Samuel, Jr., was an infant on their arrival. The ship on which they entered Charleston Harbor carried many other immigrants. There was a large contingent of Wilsons who may have been relatives of Jane Wilson Gladney.
The survey of land granted to Samuel and his family was completed and certified in the Surveyor-General's office by March of 1768. They were free to take possession of this tract in Craven (Fairfield) County. The trail wound across the sandy coastal lands where creeks were full from spring rains, and higher into the rolling hills of the '"Up-Country." They must have traveled those forest paths through the brisk days of early spring. Flowers strange to them bloomed beneath the trees, and pine needles cushioned their steps as they walked beside the wagons. Before they reached their destination they saw dogwood blossoms spreading a cloud cover throughout the forest, and the song of colorful birds ceased only with darkness. The journey required three to four weeks.
One of the new settlers wrote back to Ireland that a hunter could make a good living from deer skins and hams. People in Charleston were eager for them, and they could be exchanged advantageously for powder, lead, and other necessaries. Products had to be transported to the port for a market, however, and the journey was arduous, sometimes dangerous. Streams were full of fish. With the long, warm summer months before them, the Gladney family, no doubt, lived off products found there while their house was being built and the clearing begun on their acres. Skilled workmen were available at times, but neighbors worked together to erect simple houses from logs hand hewn off their land. The meetinghouse came next.
In 1774, about six years after Samuel and Agnes had claimed their land, several of Agnes' brothers and sisters arrived with their families. Arriving also was William McCreight, an expert cabinetmaker. He settled in the Winnsboro area where a town was being laid out from the grants belonging to John and Richard Winn who had received the land much earlier. McCreight built his home on a tract acquired in 1774. The house is still standing and has the distinction of being the first frame structure in Fairfield County. Framework, walls, and floors are hand-hewn, hand-planed heart-of-pine boards, mostly pegged together. It is considered a good example of later houses built by the settlers. It stands three stories high with two rooms on each floor.
William McCreight became one of the first occupants of the town of Winnsboro after it was organized, he ordered and oversaw the installation of a town clock in the tower of the Town Hall. The works of the clock were brought from France in 1837. Many tales are told in that area about the prodigious labor connected with hauling them overland to Winnsboro.
Among immigrants coming to the colony under the Act of 1761 were skilled workmen in several classifications. James Elliott was a skilled silversmith of this period. His wares in silver and pewter are highly prized antiques today by descendants of original settlers in Fairfield County. James Russell was a master mason. Robert Martin was a wheelwright and blacksmith. These men doubled in other capacities, some teaching in the school, some acting as ministers in the meetinghouses of the area; but always making a living from the land they lived on.
Five of Samuel's children were born in America. Joseph, James, Thomas, Richard, and Hugh. Samuel, Jr. died 1786 at the age of 15. There seems to be no record of what became of Samuel's daughter, Mary. In those days it was easy to lose a daughter from the records, unless family Bibles were treasured and passed from generation to generation. Elderly members of the family confess that "they heard she married a Cherry or a Chestnut, and moved to York County, up near the North Carolina border." James left Fairfield County in 1823 for Tennessee where he settled at Medon. Richard married a girl from the County and lived out his life there. Hugh died a bachelor, leaving to nieces and nephews generous bequests at his death. Patrick, too, lived in the County.
During the Revolutionary War, Samuel served with the colonies. When Cornwallis took Winnsboro, 1781, for his headquarters and sent out raiding parties to wipe out resistance, Samuel fought with the Militia, Col Richard Winn's Reg., Capt Edward Martin's Company. His war record is found in Book U-W page 243, #331, Stub, Entries to Indents for Revolutionary Claims by A. S. Salley, Jr., Secretary to the Historical Comm. of S. C. "To 40 days duty on horseback in Capt. Edward Martin's Co., Col. Richard Winn's Regiment, commencing 16th day Oct. and ending 24th Nov. 1781. March 20th, 1781 To hire of 3 horses impressed into service and returned June 1st, 1781 being 73 days each. To 2 beef cattle supplied Co. Winn's Regiment."
Samuel wrote his will, 23 October 1799. It is filed in Fairfield County Wills, Apt. 3, File 105, State Archives of South Carolina. The following is a copy of said will. (Title: Will of Samuel Gladen)
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN:
I, Samuel Gladen of Fairfield County, State of South Carolina, finding myself weak of body but perfectly sound in Memory and Judgement, Thanks be to God, do therefore make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in the following manner and form.
And first, I leave to my well beloved Wife, Agnes, two cows such as she chooses for herself out of the stock, likewise the use and benefit of the negroe wench Sarah during her widowhood, afterwards said wench and her issue to devolve to and be the property of my two sons, Richard and Hugh, likewise one bedding of clothes likewise to be found in a horse to ride by her two sons, Richard and Hugh, and my well beloved wife is hereby bound and obligated by these presents, to leave at her death all and every part of her personal estate to her two sons, Richard and Hugh, equally.
Secondly, I leave to my son Joseph 10 pounds to be paid by my two sons, Richard and Hugh.
Thirdly, I leave to my son Patrick, five pounds, to say, fifty shillings to himself and fifty to his son, Samuel.
Fourthly, I leave to my son, Thomas, eleven pounds, likewise one hundred acre tract of land to his son, Samuel whereon his Father formerly lived, called Horrell's Land.
Fifthly, I leave to my son James, twenty pounds sterling.
Sixthly, I leave to my daughter, Mary, two cows and calves.
Seventhly, In case my son, Joseph, does not claim or send a lawful power to receive his ten pounds in the space of seven years from the date, it is my will and desire said money be paid to my grandson Samuel, son to Patrick. Eightly, I leave to my sons, Richard and Hugh, to be equally divided between them, quantity and quality considered, Hugh to hold the house I now live in with the land convenient thereto, his Mother to have her conveniences in said house during her widowhood, and Richard, the other end of said lands as they may be justly divided. And it is my Will and desire that the different legacies already mentioned be paid by my two sons, Richard and Hugh, and to enable them for so doing they are to have and enjoy all and every part of my goods and cattles not already willed away for their benefit and use, likewise all debts due me by any person or persons whatsoever to me indebted, be paid to my said two sons, Richard and Hugh.
And, lastly, I do nominate and appoint my beloved wife, Agnes, and my son, Richard, to be my true and lawful executors, to see this my last Will and Testament executed and it is my desire that James Phillips be aiding and assisting them in the Execution of said Executorship by his Council and Advise when they may think proper at any time to sell for said assistance. And further I do hereby declare this to be my last Will and Testament, revoking and disannulling all former Will or Wills by me hereto fore made whatsoever. Witness my hand and seal this the 23rd day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine and of American Independence the Twenty-third.

Signed, Sealed and delivered Proved 7 March 1800
in presence of: Recorded in Book 3
David Cammoche Pages 3 and 4
James McCrory March 7, 1800
H. Milling Apt. 3, File 105

Samuel had fought for that independence. To him it was second only to the "Year of Our Lord." In the most formal and solemn document that he was ever to write he paid tribute to that independence and placed it in perspective for future generations of his children.
Samuel was buried in the Gladney Cemetery, on an original grant of Gladney land. If Agnes, his wife is buried there, stone or marker has been destroyed. Later her sons Richard and Hugh were interred there.
Birth year may have been 1730.
Served as private in War of American Revolution.

More About Samuel Gladney:
Burial: Gladney Cemetery, Fairfield County SC
Military service: Revolutionary War, Private, SC Militia, Col. Richard Winn's Reg., Capt. Edward Martin's Company

Notes for Agnes McCreight:
Birth year may be 1742 per Jack Powell Family Group Sheets

More About Agnes McCreight:
Burial: Fairfield County SC

Children of Samuel Gladney and Agnes McCreight are:

+	2	i.	Joseph⁵ Gladney, born 1760 in County Antrim, Ireland; died Abt. 1830 in Fairfield County SC.
+	3	ii.	Patrick Gladney, born 1762 in Kinbally, County Antrim, Ireland; died 08 September 1835 in Fairfield County SC.
	4	iii.	Mary Gladney, born 1764 in Kinbally, County Antrim, Ireland; died Unknown. She married ??? Chestnut Unknown; born Unknown; died Unknown.
	5	iv.	Samuel Gladney, Jr., born 1768 in Fairfield County SC; died 16 June 1786 in Fairfield County SC.

More About Samuel Gladney, Jr.:
Burial: Gladney Cemetery, Fairfield County SC

+	6	v.	James M. Gladney, born 24 April 1772 in Fairfield County SC; died 29 August 1847 in Medon, Madison County TN.
+	7	vi.	Thomas Gladney, born 1774 in Fairfield County SC; died 1825 in Henry County GA.
+	8	vii.	Richard Gladney, born 1778 in Fairfield County SC; died 08 May 1843 in Fairfield County SC.
	9	viii.	Hugh Smythe Gladney, born 24 July 1780 in Fairfield County SC; died 28 November 1854 in Fairfield County SC.

Notes for Hugh Smythe Gladney:
Bachelor.

WILL OF HUGH GLADNEY
THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
AND DISTRICT OF FAIRFIELD
I Hugh Gladney of the State and District aforesaid, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament in the manner and form following. TO WIT. Item 1st. I devise and bequeath unto my nephew Richard Jackson Gladney, the House and tract of land on which I now reside, held in fee simple, containing five hundred and forty acres. Item 2d. I devise and bequeath unto my nephew William M. Gladney, the Mill tract of land, held in fee simple containing one hundred and fifty acres, together with the negroes Harriet, little Jenny, little Richard, Margaret and Frances. Item 3d. I devise and bequeath unto my nephew James Gladney, the tract of land on which he lives, held in fee simple, containing about one hundred acres; but will that said tract of land cannot be taken or sold for his debts or debts he may hereafter contract, but for the use of himself and family during his life, and after his death to be equally divided among his children then living, together with a negro man called Dick, but will that the said negro man Dick cannot be taken or sold for his debts of debts he may hereafter contract, but for the benefit of himself and family, as above stated. Item 4th. I devise and bequeath unto my nieces Nancy Black, Mary Mills, Rachel Reap, and Jane Gibson to each one thousand dollars, for their own and the use of their families. Item 5th. I devise and bequeath unto Mary Ann Sterling (daughter of Samuel & Sarah Gladney (deceased) Five hundred dollars for herself and family. Item 6th. I devise and bequeath unto Nancy and Mary Gladney (daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Gladney) to each Five hundred dollars for their own use and benefit. Item 7th. I devise and bequeath unto Richard J. Gladney (my nephew) the balance of a tract of land sold Robert Aiken about two years ago, together with all the growing crop (part of which is now gathered) on the plantation where I now live, with all the stock of every kind and description, farming utensils, household and kitchen furniture. Item 8th. I will that all the legacies, herein named, be paid unto the legatees, herein named from notes in my possession and the sale of a negro man named William (blacksmith) and also from the sale of a negro man named Vander (a shoe-maker) and any debts I may owe at the time of my death, the balance if any be lacking be paid by my nephew Richard Jackson Gladney. Item 9th. I will and bequeath to my nephew Richard J. Gladney the balance of my negroes, with a strict injunction, that those who are deceased and infirm shall be supported by him during life, also if any surplus remains after the payment of the legacies from the means mentioned in item 8th. the balance if any be paid over to my nephew Richard J. Gladney. Item 10th. I will that the negroes William and Vander be sold privately, as soon after my decease as practicable, or after the close of the term for which they are hired. I hereby nominate and appoint William M. Gladney, Dr. William D. Rush and David Milling Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking any will heretofore made by me. In witness hereof I hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty seventh day of November one thousand eight hundred and fifty four. Anno domini

Hugh Gladney LS

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said Hugh Gladney, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto set our names, as witnesses in his presence, and at his request, and in the presence of each other.

Thomas Still Proven - Date not found
Ralph Gibson Recorded in Will Book 19
Samuel C. Still Pages 425-427
Recorded Nov. 30, 1854
Apt. 104 File 506

(Copied exactly from reproduced document in South Carolina Archives Department, Columbia SC)

More About Hugh Smythe Gladney:
Burial: Gladney Cemetery, Fairfield County SC
Occupation: Planter

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