CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4 John Speer Family

WILLIAM SPEER (1747-1830)

ABBEVILLE COUNTY

SOUTH CAROLINA

HIS LIFE, FAMILY AND

DESCENDANTS

Compiled and Written By

Wade Edward Speer

With Special Help From

George William Whitmire, Sr., Jacksonville, Florida

William Arthur Speer, Jr., Atlanta, Georgia

Portraits By Edward Shanon Wood, Asheville, North Carolina

Published By

Wade Edward Speer

Marion, North Carolina

1998

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NOTES FOR ONLINE BOOK VERSION

Original page numbers did not survive the file conversion to the Internet-ready html format.

Some editing of the original text has been done, such as correcting typos and eliminating unnecessary line spaces.

All images, including portraits, tombstone sketches, house sketches, and signature tracings have been omitted; however the text accompanying the images is retained.

The William Speer Descendent report (Chapter 1) has been omitted. A greatly updated version can be found at:

http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/s/p/e/Wade-E-Speer/index.html

http://hometown.aol.com/wspeer1161/myhomepage/heritage.html

{Wade E Speer July 20, 2000}

CHAPTER 4

JOHN SPEER FAMILY

John Speer² (William¹) was a frontiersman, planter, lawyer, judge, surveyor, postmaster, Presbyterian Elder, and family man. He was a highly respected member of his community and earned the complimentary title 'Esquire'. John’s middle name may have been James; however he apparently never used it and it is not used in this book.

John was born on November 5, 1784 and was the first child of William, Sr. and Eleanor Speer (CHAPTER 2). William and Eleanor married earlier that year and presumably lived in Abbeville, in present day Abbeville County, South Carolina when John was born. In 1785, the family moved to their newly-acquired homestead at Cherokee Ford on the Savannah River^A.

Growing Up Although we know little of John's early life, it seems safe to assume that he quickly learned the values of responsibility, self sufficiency, hard work and hardship. Being the first born on a new wilderness homestead, he probably was soon helping in his father's fields, the grist mill, and the general store. By the time he was eight years old, he had two brothers and a baby sister. His mother died when he was eleven and his father did not remarry for four years. During this time, baby sitting duties probably added to his overwhelming responsibilities.

The life of a boy growing up on the edge of the frontier would also include plenty of adventure, exploration and excitement. The family lived on an island in the midst of a river that offered unlimited fishing and swimming. The surrounding forests were full of deer, beaver, bears, squirrels, and turkeys while ducks and geese abounded along the waterways. There was plenty to catch the attention of a young boy.

Schooling Schooling was a strict requirement in the Speer family and probably started early as home study under Eleanor's, and later his stepmother Martha's watchful eyes. John later probably attended a community school, perhaps at his father's general store. The store was located at a road intersection nearby and probably became a gathering point for the growing wilderness community^B. He may also have attended Reverend Moses Waddel's school at Church Hill or Abbeville, seven miles to the northeast or eleven miles to the east, respectively. John's accomplishments later in life suggest that he was well educated.

Marriage At the age of 23, John married Elizabeth Ann Harris Caldwell who was about 18 years old at the time. They were married on October 31, 1807 by the famous Reverend Moses Waddel, DD^C. She gave John nine children, seven of whom lived to adulthood. Two died before the age of one and are buried beside John and Elizabeth in Lowndesville. Their tombstones are shown on Figure 4-1. See CHAPTER 1 for a summary chart of all of John and Elizabeth's descendants.

Elizabeth Elizabeth was one of five children of John E. Caldwell and Elizabeth Thompson. John E. Caldwell was born about 1761 in Anson County, North Carolina and died March 6, 1840 in Abbeville District, South Carolina. His parents were James Caldwell and

In Memory of In Memory of

Sarah Elenor Speer Bolivar Speer

Aged 11 Mos & (?) Days Aged 10 Mos & 26 Days

Figure 4-1
Tombstones of Sarah Elenor Speer³ and Bolivar Speer³, infant children of John and Elizabeth Caldwell Speer. Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Lowndesville, Abbeville County, South Carolina.

Elizabeth Harris. Elizabeth Thompson's parents were Matthew Thompson and Rachel Allen.

Church Part of John's religious life is illustrated on his tombstone which is shown on Figure 4-2. As a child, his family attended the Rocky River Presbyterian Church, five and one-half miles southwest of Lowndesville. However, he joined the Lowndesville Presbyterian Church, an outgrowth of the Rocky River Church, in 1809. This church is located in Lowndesville and is now called Providence Presbyterian Church. In 1816, John was appointed a Ruling Elder of the church. As an Elder, he was probably called on to preach sermons as well as manage the church. He was 31 years old. On March 10, 1818 John attended a meeting of the Rocky River Church Religious Tract Society^E. The purpose of the meeting was to raise money to buy tracts of land for the church. Like thirty-seven others at the meeting, he contributed $1.00 to get the effort off to a good start.

SACRED

to the memory of

JOHN SPEER ESQR

BORN 5 NOVR. 1784,

United with his Presbyterian Church in 1809.

Ordained a Ruling Elder in 1816.

Died 20th April 1866.

Firm and dedicated in character;

he was long spared,

To adorn his profession and office.

He rests from his labors.

Oh Death where is thy sting

Figure 4-2
Tombstone of John Speer² (1784-1866). Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Lowndesville, Abbeville County, South Carolina.

Census The US Census records, which began in 1790, give the following data about the family^D:

1790 & 1800 no entry

1810 John Spears, Head of household, Abbeville County

1 male <10

1 female 10-16

1 female <10

1 slave

1820 John Speer, Head of household, Abbeville District

1 male 26-45

1 male 10-16

2 males <10

1 female 16-26

1 female 10-16

2 females <10

7 slaves:

1 male >45 1 female >45

1 male 26-45 2 females 26-45

1 male 14-26

1 male <14

1830 John Speer, Head of household, Abbeville District

1 male 40-50

1 male 15-20

2 males 10-15

1 female 30-40

1 female 15-20

1 female <5

13 slaves:

2 males 36-55 3 females 24-36

1 male 24-36 1 female 10-24

1 male 10-14 5 females <10

1840 J. Spear, Head of household, Abbeville District

1 male 50-60

2 males 20-30

1 female 40-50

1 female 10-15

19 slaves:

3 males 36-55 1 female 36-55

1 male 24-36 3 females 24-36

2 males 10-24 5 females 10-24

2 males <10 2 females <10

1850 John Speer, 65, Head of household, Lowndesville, Abbeville County, born in SC, $1,000 in real estate.

Elizabeth Speer, 61, born in SC.

Sarah M. Speer, 21, born in SC.

Elizabeth Elington, 2, born Miss.

Ezekiel Harris, 23, Millwright, born in NC.

William Walker, 19, Millwright, born in SC.

34 Black slaves:

males by age: 68, 50, 39, 37, 30, 20, 18, 18, 17, 16, 12, 7, 5, 5, 4, 4, 3, <1.

females by age: 50, 47, 35, 29, 26, 26, 25, 23, 22, 12, 9, 6, 3, <1, <1, <1.

1860 John Speer, 74, Head of household, Wilson Creek Post Office, Abbeville County, Farmer with $8,896 in real estate and $32,474 in personal property, born in SC.

Mary L. Speer, 62, born in SC.

Elizabeth Ellington, 12, born in Miss.

38 Black slaves (owner listed as John Speir):

males by age: 80, 55, 30, 41, 40, 40, 40, 24, 19, 17, 16, 11, 11, 11, 9, 9, 9, 7, 5, 2, <1.

females by age: 54, 40, 39, 32, 32, 32, 30, 19, 14, 10, 9, 8, 8, 4, 3, 3, 2

Note the variant spellings of 'Speer' in 1810, 1840, and 1860. Also note the presence of other people in the household in 1850 and 1860. John's second wife, Mary L., is listed in the 1860 Census.

Land Sale Remember that 150-acre tract of land bought by William, Sr. from his three stepdaughters in 1796? (CHAPTER 2). John acquired ownership of that land and sold it July 22, 1818 to a person named Brady. The same tract bought for 50 Pounds Sterling sold twenty-four years later for $400. The land was located near Abbeville on "Frazers Branch of Norris Creek"^F.

It is not clear when John moved away from his father's homestead. The 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850 and 1860 census surveys of Abbeville County show him as the head of his own household^D. It's possible however, that he, like his brother William, Jr., started his family while still living on his father's plantation. This is supported by evidence suggesting that several additional houses existed at Cherokee Heights where his father's general store was located^B. Perhaps John and William, Jr. built houses here before their father died in 1830 and the estate was sold. In any event, John probably used the inheritance from his father's Cherokee Ford estate to purchase or enlarge his own estate on Wilson Creek.

Wilson Creek Plantation By 1837 John was well established on his plantation on Wilson Creek, in northern Abbeville County. On February eleventh of that year, he was appointed Postmaster of the Wilson Creek Post Office⁷. The Post Office was probably housed in his grist mill, if the usual custom was followed. Grist mills were often popular gathering places for the local community and were natural choices for newly-assigned Post Offices. This mill was probably located at the junction of Wilson Creek and Rocky River about three miles northeast of Lowndesville and one mile below the present day Lake Secession Dam. Today the site is beneath the waters of Lake Russell. The Post Office continued to operate during the Civil War under the authority of the Confederate States of America Post Office Department. It is not known when it ceased to operate.

Esquire True to his schooling and education, John became a respected and accomplished man in the community. He officiated in the probate of numerous estates and probably served his community as a legal advisor and lawyer. In 1817, he served as Justice of the Peace^H. See Figure 4-3 for a tracing of his 1817 signature. He earned the respect of his neighbors and was commonly addressed as 'Esquire'.

The following is a partial list of estate documents from the Abbeville County Probate Office that contain John Speer's name in an official capacity^I:

Mar 22, 1817 Witness to Will of James Pearson.

Aug 13, 1817 Justice of The Peace; Recorded Pearson Will.

Aug 28, 1826 Executor of Will of William Speer, Sr.

Jul 27, 1829 Administrator of James C. Gillespie Estate.

Mar 22, 1842 Administrator of Agnus Crawford Estate.

May 19, 1842 Administrator of John G. Fraser Estate.

Mar 22, 1851 Executor of Will of Dr. Alexander B. Arnold.

The extent of John's education is also illustrated by the presence of some items among his personal property. After he died, his estate inventory and bill of sale (see the full lists below) show that he owned the following^J:

13 lots of Books (including Pilgrim's Progress, Scott's Commentary, Gunn's Medicine, and an Atlas).

1 Gold Watch.

1 eight-day Clock.

1 Thermometer.

1 U.S.A. Map.

August 13, 1817

Figure 4-3
Tracing of signature of John Speer², Justice of the Peace. The signature appears on documents of the Estate File of James Pearson, Office of Ordinary, Abbeville District, South Carolina (Abbeville County Probate Office).

Surveyor John was also a land surveyor. A case of survey instruments is listed on the appraisal inventory and bill of sale of his estate^J. In addition, we find that he was paid $5.00 on March 6, 1840 for surveying land for the estate of John Caldwell^K. John Caldwell was his father-in-law. Elsewhere we find reference to a large tract of land surveyed by John: Williamson Norwood, a locale resident, mentions in his Will of April 17, 1847:

"...that tract of land containing 1,795 acres as in plat of John Speers, Esq."^L

Plantation Life John owned and farmed a plantation of nearly 1,500 acres on Wilson Creek. This includes the fifty-acre tract on Rocky River where his grist mills were located. Documents in John's Estate File^J show that he owned the following tracts of land when he died:

Tract 250 acres valued at $2,000.00

Tracts 1 & 5 365 acres sold to G.F. Bardite(?) 1,700.00

Tracts 2 & 3 269 acres sold to Augustus (??) 1,693.84

Tract 4 146 acres sold to (??) Kennedy 879.00

Tracts 6 & 7 411.1 acres sold to James Boroughs 2,631.04

2 Tracts sold to Jacob Alewine 2,197.10

Mill Tract 50 acres ??.??

__________

1,491.1 acres $11,100.98

Numerous items listed on the appraisal inventory and final bill of sale for John's estate^J give insight into the extent of his farming (see full lists below). At the time of his death, John owned:

Livestock: 6 Mules, 2 Horses, 2 Oxen, 15 Cattle (including 3 Bulls), 35 Pigs and 9 Sheep.

Farm products: 320 bushels of Corn, 95 bushels of Wheat, 498 gallons of Molasses, in excess of 1,100 bundles of Cane Fodder, 1,815 pounds of Cotton in seed, 50 bushels of Potatoes, 10 pounds of Wool, 2 3/8 baskets of Pears, 2 lots of Corn Shucks, 1 lot of Cane Seed, 1 lot of Straw, and 1 lot of Oat Straw.

John obviously lived on a large plantation and grew numerous cash crops, including cotton, sugar cane, corn and wheat. He owned a water-powered grist mill to grind the corn and wheat. The estate inventory and bill of sale show that he also owned a cane and molasses mill, probably used to process his own sugar cane. Before railroads were built, he may have shipped his cotton and other goods on the Savannah River. After railroads reached Abbeville and Anderson in about 1850, he probably hauled his goods in wagons to markets in those towns. Wool from his sheep and cotton from his fields were probably spun into thread on a spinning wheel, woven into cloth on a hand-operated loon, and sewn into the family's clothes. Two spinning wheels and a loon are shown on the estate inventory list^J.

As was the case with similar planters throughout the South, John owned slaves to run his plantation. The Census records detailed earlier show he owned the following^D:

1810 1 slave

1820 7 slaves (4 male and 3 female)

1830 13 slaves (4 male and 8 female)

1840 19 slaves (8 male and 11 female)

1850 34 slaves (18 male and 16 female)

1860 38 slaves (21 male and 17 female)

Since this many slaves represented a large investment in money, it is obvious that the early 1800's were a prosperous time for John. Nothing is known about the fate of the slaves. After the Civil War ended in 1865, they were freed and most likely left the plantation. Several Black Speer families appear in the Census records for Abbeville and Anderson Counties after the war and presumably are some of the families that accepted the Speer name when they left this and other Speer plantations in the area.

Elizabeth must have had her hands full trying to raise the children. As many as seven may have been living with the family at one time. She probably relaxed and entertained the family by playing the piano. The first item listed on the estate appraisal inventory is a Rosewood Piano. This is also the fist item sold at the public auction after John's death^J. It sold for $77.00. Elizabeth must have also prized her set of 12 silver table spoons; they sold for an incredible $25.50. In addition, she had three silver goblets and four silver tea spoons. Her furniture was not unusual, but the bedroom sets went for high prices at the auction^J.

John's gold watch, valued at $150.00 by the estate appraisers, sold for $15.00 at the auction; apparently the buyer got a great deal! John’s double barrel shotgun sold for $26.00^J.

Several of John's relatives bought items at the auction^J. His son, John Caldwell Speer³ (William¹, John²) bought some books (including Pilgrim's Progress), the U.S.A. map, a music box, a mule, the two oxen, a cow, nine pigs, molasses, corn, and the 1,815 pounds of cotton still growing in the field. Dr. Andrew Jackson Speer³ (William¹, William²), nephew of John, bought three cows, corn, fodder and a thermometer. Benjamin Dozier Kay, husband of John's daughter Elizabeth Caldwell Speer³ (William¹, John²), bought 14 pigs, the book Scott's Commentary, a valise, and several lesser items.

Elizabeth's Death Elizabeth died July 27, 1851 and was buried beside her two infant children and twenty-two year old daughter in the Lowndesville Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Figure 4-4 shows her tombstone. Note the inscription that suggests she was a devoted church member. Her daughter Sarah M. Speer Ellington³ (William¹, John²) died only nine days earlier, suggesting they both succumbed to the same contagious illness. Sarah's tombstone is shown on Figure 4-5. Sarah married Dr. William H. Ellington and their only child Elizabeth⁴ (William¹, John², Sarah³) was born about 1848 in Mississippi. Sarah and Elizabeth Ellington were living with John and Elizabeth Speer at the time of the 1850 Census^D and presumably in 1851 when an apparent epidemic hit the household.

SACRED

To the Memory of

ELIZABETH ANN SPEER

Wife of John Speer and daughter of

John and Elizabeth Caldwell.

Who departed this life

On the 27th July, 1851,

Aged 62 Years 2 Months and 27 Days.

___

In her death the Presbyterian Church,

of which she was a consistent and

useful member through life,

has sustained an irreparable loss.

She died as she lived, a Christian, in the full

assurance of a blessed immortality

beyond the grave.
Figure 4-4
Tombstone of Elizabeth Ann Caldwell Speer (c1789-1851). Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Lowndesville, Abbeville County, South Carolina.

SACRED

To the Memory of

SARAH M. SPEER

Daughter of

John and Elizabeth Ann Speer

Who departed this life

On the 18th of July 1851

Aged 22 Years 1 Month and 11 Days

In her 11th year she connected herself

with the Presbyterian Church and

continued a bright ornament of the profession

she had made.

Her death was a triumphant scene

of joyful anticipation of a happy

IMMORTALITY.

Figure 4-5
Tombstone of Sarah M. Speer Ellington³ (c1829-1851). Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Lowndesville, Abbeville County, South Carolina.

John Remarries Some time between July 1851 and August 1860, John married Mary L. ????^M. Mary's maiden name and family history are unknown. She was born about 1798 in South Carolina and was past child-bearing age by the time she married John. It is not known when she died or where she is buried. Curiously, William Speer, Jr. does not mention his brother John's second marriage in his 1869 letter although he does mention their brother Alexander's second and third wives^A. John and Mary L. evidently raised John's grand daughter Elizabeth Ellington⁴. The twelve-year-old girl was living with them on Census Day, August 31, 1860^D. It is not known what happened to her after John died six years later, but he provided for her in his will (see below).

Civil War Nothing is known for certain about the effect of the Civil War on John and his plantation. The loss of transportation and markets for his cash crops and the loss of his slaves must have been devastating. However, he continued to live on the plantation, which probably provided an adequate livelihood. At least one of his sons and two of his grandsons fought in the war. See CHAPTERS 5, 6, 7 and 19 for their stories.

John's Death John drowned in a tragic accident while trying to cross the swollen Rocky River near Lowndesville. The date was April 20, 1866. He attempted to ford the flooding stream in a horse-drawn buggy or wagon but was carried away by the swift current^N. He was 82 years old. The site was probably at Rampey's Mill, just upstream of the present day Highway 81 bridge. Today the river is flooded under the waters of Lake Russell.

John was buried beside Elizabeth and three of their children in the Lowndesville Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Today this is called the Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery. John's tombstone is shown on Figure 4-2.

Will Of John Speer (1784-1866) John's will is dated November 1865 and was recorded in Abbeville on April 26, 1866^J. It is signed 'John Speer' in an infirm hand writing. The will is transcribed below with minor editorial changes.

The State of South Carolina Abbeville District In the Name of God, Amen.

I John Speer of said State and District of sound mind memory and understanding, but of weak health make this my last will and testament--revoking all other heretofore make by me.

1st Item: I wish all my just debts paid.

2nd Item: I wish all my personal estate sold when and on such terms and conditions as my Executor may select and appoint.

3rd Item: I give and devise in trust to my son John C. Speer the tract of land on Rocky River containing between forty eight and fifty acres on which are my Mills with all the appurtenances, to wit in trust for the use of the children of said John C. Speer now living, and of such children of said John C. Speer as may be born hereafter share and share alike. With power to said John C. Speer to change said property and sell the same and invest the proceeds of sale in other property for said children either in this state or in any other state upon like trusts.

4th Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary L. Speer an annuity during her natural life of one hundred and fifty dollars to be made up and raised in this way--The share or estate of each legatee or set of legatees is to constitute and make up an equal proportion of the said sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, and is charged therewith, as above, and my Executor shall see that good and proper security is given to my said wife for the payment of said annuity. This provision is intended as in lieu and bar{?} of dower of my said wife in my real estate.

5th Item: I will and direct that my plantation or tract of land on which I now live containing eleven hundred acres more or less in Abbeville District be sold by my Executor John C. Speer on such terms and conditions and in such manner and way as he may think best for the interest and welfare of all parties in interest; suggesting to my said Executor that the said tract of land can be conveniently divided and parceled into several portions or parts for the purpose of sale.

6th Item: After payment of my debts as aforesaid, and after and subject to the annuity to my wife aforesaid, I will and direct my whole estate, and monies arising from sales of property directed as aforesaid or otherwise, to be divided into seven (7) equal portions in value, and these seven equal portions in value I give and bequeath as follows.

7th Item: One seventh part I give and bequeath to my daughter Eliza Kay during her natural life, and at her death to such children as she may leave living at the time of her death share and share alike.

8th Item: One seventh part I give and bequeath to the children of my deceased son William A. Speer in fee simple.

9th Item: One seventh part I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane C., the wife of Madison Weems.

10th Item: One seventh part I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha, the wife of Jonathan Galloway in fee simple.

11th Item: I give and bequeath unto my son John C. Speer one seventh part in trust for the use and behoof {behoove} of the children of said John C. Speer as expressed in the third item of this my will as aforesaid.

12th Item: One seventh part I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Elizabeth Ellington the child of my deceased daughter Sarah M., in fee simple.

13th Item: And the last one seventh part I give and bequeath to said John C. Speer in trust for the children of my son James G. Speer now living and such as may be living at the death of said James G. Speer. And in consideration of said James G. Speer educating and maintaining his children, the said Trustee may permit the said James G. Speer to have the use of the said one seventh part in such way as he may think best and which will not subject the one seventh to danger of loss; or if the said Trustee thinks best he may at his discretion and in his judgment pay the interest on the said one seventh part annually to said James G. Speer for the maintenance and education of said children of said James G. Speer. And no division of this one seventh part shall be made until the oldest child of James G. Speer shall attain the age of twenty one years; and as each child of said James G. Speer attains and comes to the age of twenty one years, the Trustee shall pay and give off to such child a portion of money or property proportioned to the number of children and the value of the entire one seventh, as they then are. If any child or children of said James G. Speer shall die leaving children, such child or children shall represent the deceased parent.

14th Item: I appoint my son John C. Speer Executor of this my last will and testament.

Witness my hand and seal this _____ day of November AD, 1865.

{Signed} John Speer

Signed sealed and acknowledged by John Speer to be his last will and testament in our presence, who saw him sign first, and who then saw us sign as witness in his presence and in the presence of each other. The word "wife" inserted before signature.

{Signed} M. McDonald

D. J. Jordan

Thos. Thomson

Estate Appraisal and Inventory The items and values on the following list are those that can be identified from the original hand-written estate inventory prepared on October 31, 1866. The original was prepared by T.T. Cunningham, W.L. Baskiss, and Lt. G. Burton, appraisers of John's estate^J.

Appraisal Bill of the property of John Speer, Esq, deceased. October 31, 1866.

1 Rosewood Piano $50.00 1 Lounge $10.00 1 Set Walnut Tables 15.00 1 Magnifying Glass 1.00 1 Broken Set China 5.00 1 Apple Peeler .55 3 Silver Goblets 30.00 1 Conch Shell .25 12 Silver Table Spoons 25.00 4 Silver Tea Spoons 4.00 6 Windson Chairs 3.00 1 Bureau 5.00 1 Rocking Chair 2.00 1 Pine Drawing Table 2.00 1 Setter 2.00 1 Lot Bottles on Bureau 1.50 2 Tin Trunks 1.50 1 Mahogany Case 1.50 1 Map & 3 Window Curtains 2.00 1 8-Day Clock 10.00 3 Brass Candlesticks 3.00 1 Small Table 2.00 6 Split bottom Chairs 3.00 1 Shovel 1.50 1 Lot Jugs and Demijohn 2.00 1 Lot Books 20.00 1 Gold Watch 150.00 1 Lot Shaving Implements 2.00 4 Curtain Pins 2.00 1 Case Surveyor Instrument 1.00 1 Bed & Furniture 25.00 1 Bed & Furniture No. 2 25.00 1 Bed & Furniture No. 3 25.00 1 Bed & Furniture No. 4 30.00 1 Bed & Furniture No. 5 20.00 Potrack 1.00 2 pr Sheep Shears 1.00 1 Lot Table Furniture 15.00 1 Walnut Cupboard 5.00 1 Wash Stand .50 1 Walnut Chest 2.00 1 Trunk .50 1 Lot Sundries 1.00 Valise Trunk & Carpet Sack 5.00 2 Boxes & Lot Tallow .50 Window Curtain .25 1 Peck Measure .15 1 Pine Chest 2.00 1 Glass .20 1 pr Saddle Bags .25 2 Curtains .50 {??} & Snuffer .25 Toilet Table .50 Wash Table 2.00 1 {??} Basin 3.00 1 Trunk 5.00 1 Watering Pot $1.50 1 Toilet Glass and Comb $0.50 1 Dbl Barrel Shotgun 15.00 38 lb Lot Leather 22.80 1 Trunk & 1/2 the {??} 3.00 2 Gallon Bucket .50 1 Thermometer .50 Pail Stand and 2 Basins 1.50 1 Clock .50 1 Old Tub .50 1 Hatchet & {??} Saw .50 Window Ornaments .25 20 lb Wool 5.00 Scale & Weights 1.00 1 Lot Irons .50 131 {??} Glass 8.00 1 Dinner Bell 1.00 4 Well Rope .10 1 Lot Flax Wheels 3.00 4 Slab .50 1 {??} Steel .50 1 Set Smith Tools 10.00 1 Set Carpenter Tools 8.00 Scales & Weights 1.00 2 Wheat {??} 1.50 2 Oil Cans .50 1 Lot Sundries .25 1 Cradle & Box .25 Molasses {??} & Skimmer .50 2 Rugs & Carpet 1.00 1 Lot Misc .50 1 Large Waiter .25 1 Box Old Harness 1.00 1 Large {??} Basket 1.00 1 Old Saddle 2.00 Organ & Castings .25 Wheat @ $2.50/bush 0.00 Molasses @ $0.75/gallon 0.00 2 3/8 Bushel Pears 2.38 Carriage Buggy & Harness 25.00 Corn @ $1.00/bush 0.00 1 Lot Shucks & Straw 20.00 Refuse Corn @ $0.50/bush 0.00 1 Lot fodder @ $1.00/bush 0.00 1 Measuring Barrel .25 1 Lot Hogs 110.00 1 Row Wagon & Hind {??} 35.00 4 pr Plough {??} 3.00 1 Lot Plough Stock .50 Shovels & Spades .50 1 Lot Hoes .50 1 Lot Chains 5.00 1 Lot Sundries 3.00 5 Scythes & Cradles 15.00 1 One-Horse Wagon 10.00 1 Carry Log 10.00 1 Cog Wheel 5.00 1 Set Bed Posts 1.00 1 Lot Cog Timber .25 1 Lot Timber 5.00 1 lot Dryers & Brick {??} 1.00 2 Iron Wedges & Crowbar 3.00 1 Grindstone .50 1 Straw Cutter 2.00 2 Axes 2.00 1 Lot Castings & Teekler 10.00 1 Lot Stand Timber .50 1 Lot Band Iron 2.00 1 Wheat {??} 25.00 1 Thresher 5.00 1,815 lb Cotton $0.05/lb 90.75 50 Bh Potatoes $0.12/bh 6.00 9 Head Sheep 11.25 1 Granary 2.00 1 Lot Barrels 1.00 1 Lot Jugs & Demijohn 2.00 1 Lot Sundries .25 47 lb Salt @ $0.03/lb 1.37 1 Lot Bags 1.00 Meat Knife & Stone Hammer .50 1 pr Balances 3.00 2 Wash Pots 10.00 2 Spinning Wheels 3.00 1 Lot Sundries in Dairy 2.00 Iron @ $0.05/lb 0.00 1 Lot Cane Seed 5.00 1 Molasses Mill & Boiler 75.00 1 Wagon 15.00 1 Loon & {??} 10.00 1 Bay Horse 38.00 1 Horse (Bill) 25.00 1 Mule (Jinnett) 75.00 1 Mule (Beck) 67.50 1 Mule (Haldy) 10.00 1 Mule (Macy) 60.00 1 Mule (Jack) 67.00 1 Mule (Ted) 15.00 Cow & Calf (Molly) 10.00 Cow & Calf 10.00 1 Black Bull 10.00 1 White Bull 10.00 1 White Cow 12.00 1 Brundles Bull 4.00 1 Cow & Calf 10.00 1 Young Brundles Cow 10.00 1 Young Cow & Calf 10.00 1 Cow & Calf (One horned) 8.00 3 Young Cattle 12.00 1 Yoke Oxen $100.00 1 Note on James Miles Doubty[?] $8.00

{Signed} T.T. Cunningham, W.L. Baskiss, and Lt. G. Burton

Public Auction and Estate Sale This is an inventory of the personal property of John Speer that was sold at public auction on November 1 and 2, 1866. The original list was prepared by T.T. Cunningham, one of the appraisers of the estate^J. The following list is incomplete since many items on the original could not be deciphered.

Sale Bill of the property of

John Speer, Esq, Deceased. Nov 1st and 2nd, 1866.

1 Rosewood Piano $77.00 1 Show Case 1.00 1 Sofa 2.00 Side Board 10.50 1 pr Andirons 2.00 Mantle Ornaments 1.40 1 Pine Table .95 1 lot Books .50 1 Magnifying Glass .55 1 Broken Set China 7.50 1 Lot glass Plates .80 1 Lot glass Plates .80 1 Soup Tureen 2.25 1 Apple Peeler .50 2 Waiters .55 1 ?? & Basin 2.00 1 ?? & Basin 1.70 3 Dishes .85 1 Stake Dish .60 1 Stake Dish 1.00 1 Chafing Dish 1.05 1 British Tea Pot & Pitcher .65 1 Waiter .15 1 pr Brass Candlesticks 1.60 1 Set Plates .40 1 Set Plates .40 1 pr Brass Candlesticks .50 1 Broken Set Cups & Saucers .60 6 Dinner Plates 1.00 1 Mug Candlesticks .15 3 Silver Tea Spoons .80 1 Set Silver Table Spoons 25.50 1 Steak Dish .20 1 Conch Shell .60 1 ?? Steel & Fork .70 1 Set Knife & Forks .70 1 Set Knife & Forks 2.00 1 Pitcher Bowl & Mug .20 5 Wine Glasses .60 4 Tumblers .75 1 pr Salt Setts .35 1 Preserve Stand 1.20 1 Castor & Stand .35 1 Tea ?? .20 1 pr Preserve Dishes .80 1 Beet Plate Spoon/Knife 1.00 1 Lot Sundries .20 1 pr Medical Scales/Weights .45 1 Glass .75 1 pr Balances .70 3 Car ?? .25 1 Thermometer 1.25 1 Lot Bottles .65 1 pr Pickle ?? .65 1 Lot Sundries .65 1 Box ?? ?? .10 1 Case Survey Instruments .20 1 Flagealette{?} .10 4 Curtain pins .35 1 Trunk 2.50 Shaving Implements 1.55 1 Table 1.25 1 Broken Stead/furniture 40.00 1 Toilet Table .50 1 Cradle .10 1 Double Barrel Shotgun 26.00 1/2 doz Chairs @ $0.45 ea 2.70 6 Split Bottom Chairs 5.10 1 Rocking Chair 3.25 Pilgrim's Progress .30 1 Lot Books 2.10 Atlas & 2 Curtains 1.50 1 Lot Books 1.30 Scott's Commentary 5.00 Gunn's ?? Medicine .50 1 Lot Books .60 1 Lot Books .40 1 Lot Books .50 2 Books .20 1 Lot Books .25 1 Lot Books 1.00 1 Bed & furniture 35.00 1 Clock (8 Day) 8.50 1 Pine Table .60 1 Map U.S.A. .70 3 Window Curtains 1.95 1 Shovel & ?? 1.55 1 pr Andirons .50 1 Silver Goblet 6.60 1 Folding Table 1.35 Candle Mold & Bucket .25 3 Wash ?? .50 1 Bed & furniture 42.00 1 Walnut Chest 2.50 2 Curtains .05 1 Cupboard 5.00 1 Wash Stand .30 1 ?? 4.00 1 Bed & furniture 38.50 1 Glass & Drawer .75 1 Lot Sundries .25 1 Saddle 3.00 1 Sheep Skin & Saddle Bags 1.20 1 pr Saddle Bags .15 10 lb Wool @ $0.375 3.75 2 Wheel ?? 4.55 1 Bed & ?? 21.00 1 Under Bed & Stead 13.25 1 Flax Wheel .50 1 Flax Wheel 1.75 1 Lot Glass 8X10 5.80 1 Lot Glass 8X10 5.70 1 Oil Can .25 1 Lot Irons 1.00 1 Bill .50 1 Can .25 1 Lot Sundries .40 1 Lot Sundries .25 1 Lot Sundries .20 1 Guio{?} Stove{?} .65 1 Crow Bar 1.65 3 pr Plow Gear 1.50 1 Road Wagon & Head Gear 49.00 1 Calf Skin 1.44 1 pr Sheep Shears .30 1 pr Sheep Shears .70 1 Rule & Molasses Gate .40 1 Screw Plate 2.00 1 pr Candle Sniffers .25 1 Music Box .25 1 Lot ?? Blk .25 1 Valise 2.40 1 Truss 1.30 2 Basin Molds .40 2 Baskets .30 2 Baskets 1.00 1 Carpet 1.00 1 Carpet & ?? 1.40 1 Pat Axe 1.25 1 Pat Axe 2.00 1 Meal Bag & Measure .35 2 Table Covers 1.00 1 Trunk .45 1 Lot ?? .25 Thread & Carpet Bag 1.10 10 lbs Wool 4.00 1 Seine .50 1 Lot Dried Fruit 1.00 1 Lot ?? .40 49 lb Salt 1.47 2 Sets Harness .60 1 Cornpipe & Measure .20 1 Brush & Cross Cut Saw .25 1 Damark Table Cloth 1.00 1 Damark Table Cloth .53 1 Damark Table Cloth 1.00 1 Cotton Table Cloth .40 1 Cotton Table Cloth .60 1 Cotton Table Cloth .50 1 Granary 4.25 1 Small Wash Pot .50 1 Large Wash Pot 10.00 1 Wash Pot 2.25 1 Wheel 1.00 1 Reel & Wheel 1.90 1 Tar .80 1 Lot Sundries .25 1 Lot Sundries .50 1 pr ?? .65 Butter Can & Jar .65 1 Kettle .60 2 Pot Rack & Kettle .80 1 Jar, pair, & Pot 1.80 2 Spiders .95 1 Pot 1.05 1 measure pot 1.25 1 Pot 1.00 1 Copper Mill & Oven .50 1 Mortar & Waffle Mould .50 House Trap & Strainer .85 1 Brass Kettle 2.50 1 pr Cards .10 1 Loon & ?? 3.00 1 Well Bucket .35 1 Demijohn & Jug .65 1 Stone ?? .25 1 pr Balances 1.80 2 Demijohns & ?? 2.05 1 pr ?? & Steel .35 1 Lot Tools 3.00 1 Pine Table .35 1 Gold Watch 15.00 1 Tract Land 250 acres @ $8.00/acre Unsold Tracts 6 & 7 Land 411.1 acres @ 6.40/acre sold to James Boroughs $2,631.04 1 Walnut Drawing Table 11.00 1 Roll Gilding .60 1 Roll Gilding .80 1 Set Bed ?? .75 1 2/2 lb Upper Leather .72 4 lbs Upper Leather 1.64 5 1/2 lb Upper Leather 2.25 4 1/2 lb Upper Leather 1.49 6 1/2 lb Sole Leather 1.76 7 lb Upper Leather 2.94 4 lb Upper Leather 2.75 10 Bush Wheat 33.00 10 Bush Wheat 33.00 10 Bush Wheat 34.00 10 Bush Wheat 33.00 10 Bush Wheat 31.00 40 gal ?? 32.00 40 gal Molasses 28.00 40 gal Molasses 27.20 2 3/8 Basket Pears 1.90 1 Empty ?? .80 6 Empty Bottles 3.06 3 Bottle Lot of Bottles 1.80 1 Mull (Beck) 82.00 1 Mule (Jack) 65.00 1 Mull (Jinnett) 106.00 1 Mule (Fred) 8.00 1 Mull (Haldy) 4.00 1 Mule (Mary) 26.00 1 Horse (Bill) 10.00 1 Horse (John) 39.50 1 Carry Log 16.00 1 Iron ?? .60 1 Scythe & Cradle 1.05 1 Scythe & Cradle 1.25 1 Scythe & Cradle .80 1 Scythe & Cradle .80 1 One Horse Wagon 10.50 1 Lot Brick Molds .50 1 Lot Planks 1.50 2 Manuring Forks .50 1 Log Chain 1.75 1 Log Chain 1.86 1 Fifth Chain .80 1 Lot Plows 3.00 1 Lot Plows 2.65 1 Lot Plows 2.75 1 Lot Plows 2.25 1 Mattock Brow & Wedge 1.15 1 Lot Sundries 1.05 1 Lot Sundries 5.00 1 Lot Sundries .50 2 Stocks Complete 1.10 1 Lot Sundries 1.00 1 Lot Sundries .87 1 Harrow & Plow ?? .70 2 Plow Stocks 1.10 1 Large Well Bucket 1.20 1 Barrel .50 1 Lot Wire 1.00 1 Lot Iron 1.00 1 Yoke Oxen 30.00 1 One-horn Cow & Gelding 4.25 1 Cow & ?? 6.00 1 Cow ?? 8.00 1 White Dry Cow 11.25 1 Cow & Calf 8.50 1 Brundles Cow & Calf 15.00 1 Black Bull 8.50 1 White Bull 8.25 1 Heifer 6.25 2 Geldings 8.25 1 Small Bull 4.25 1 Young Red Cow 7.50 1 ?? Shucks 8.00 1 ?? Shucks 6.50 1 ?? Straw 3.25 42 Molasses @ $0.63 26.46 51 gal Molasses @ $0.645 32.89 41 gal Molasses @ $0.65 26.65 82 gal Molasses @ $0.65 53.30 80 gal Molasses @ $0.645 51.60 42 gal Molasses @ $0.65 27.30 40 gal Molasses @ $0.65 26.00 5 bush Wheat @ $3.00 15.00 10 bush Wheat @ $3.01 30.10 10 bush Wheat @ $3.00 30.00 5 bush Wheat @ $2.95 14.75 5 bush Wheat @ $2.41 12.05 15 bush Wheat @ $2.36 35.40 1 Part bbl ?? 1.90 1 Oil Can .15 1 Buggy 49.00 1 Carriage & Harness 25.00 1 Large Pine Table 1.25 1 Kitchen Table .20 60 bs Corn @ $1.36 81.60 80 bs Corn @ $1.25 100.00 40 bs Corn @ $1.25 50.00 80 bs Corn @ $1.25 100.00 18 1/4 bs Corn @ $1.282 23.40 40 bs Corn @ $1.39 55.60 Refuse Corn 2.10 100 bundles Fodder 11.30 500 bundles Fodder 5.55 500 bundles Fodder 5.63 Balance of Fodder 21.11 1 Lot Stalks 1.50 1 Cutting Knife 6.25 1 ?? Sow 7.25 1 Essex Sow 7.50 1 Black Sow 6.00 1 ?? Sow 6.00 1 White Sow w/ 8 pigs 5.00 1 Black Sow 6.25 2 Hogs @ 77 & 84 lb 5.80 1 Boar Pig 1.75 1 Boar Pig 1.20 2 1/4 bs Corn 2.89 2 Hogs 1st choice 22.49 2 Hogs 2nd choice 6.10 2 Hogs 3rd choice 6.90 2 Hogs 4th choice 4.69 6 Hogs 5th choice 15.50 2 hogs 6th choice 6.00 1 ?? Hogs 2.45 1 Cotton Gin 7.50 1 Lot Cane Seed 8.25 1 Cotton Whipper .10 1 Cane Mill 7.00 1 Wooden Boiler 1.25 80 gallon Boiler 19.00 100 gallon Boiler 20.25 1 Still 38.00 1815 lbs Cotton in seed 109.08 1 Wheat ?? 15.00 1 Thresher 1.00 1 Lot Oats Straw 7.20 7 Head Sheep 7.35 1 Set Smith Tools 16.00 1 Lot Iron 7.75 1 lot Old Iron 5.50 1 Water Wheel 1.00 1 Stock Lock .25 1/2 bushel Measure .50 1 Table .80 Mahogany Table Case ?.00 1 Demijohn 1.25 5 bs Wheat 6.75 1 ?? Wagon 15.00 12 bs Potatoes 6.00 2 Tracts Land sold to Coopeat{?} Jacob Alewine $2,197.10 4 Bands 2.00

{Signed} T.T. Cunningham, Clerk 7 Nov 1866 Total $5,486.79

Children John² and Elizabeth Speer had nine children:

Born Died

1) Sarah Elenor Speer³

(died at age of 11 mos & ?? days) unknown unknown

2) Bolivar Speer³

(died at age of 10 mos & 26 days) unknown unknown

3) Jane C. Speer³ unknown unknown

4) James G. Speer³ 23 Jun 1820 31 Oct 1893

5) Martha Speer³ unknown After 1866

6) Elizabeth Caldwell Speer³ 16 Jan 1809 12 Aug 1870

7) William Alexander Speer³ 1811 Before Nov 1865

8) John Caldwell Speer³ ` c1817 1879

9) Sarah M. Speer³ 17 Jun 1829 18 Jul 1851

1) Sarah Elenor Speer³ (William¹, John²) died when only 11 months old. She is buried with her parents in the Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Lowndesville, South Carolina (Figure 4-1).

2) Bolivar Speer³ (William¹, John²) died when only 10 months and 26 days old. He is also buried with his parents in the Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Lowndesville, South Carolina (Figure 4-1).

3) Jane C. Speer³ (William¹, John²) married James Madison Weems of Abbeville District on January 20, 1831. Her birth and death dates are unknown, but she was still living in 1866.

4) James G. Speer³ (William¹, John²) moved to Florida in 1854^P and like his first cousin, Dr. Algernon Sidney Speer, settled in the area that later became Orange County. See Figure 4-6 for a tracing of his 1874 signature.

November 12, 1874

Figure 4-6
Tracing of signature of James G. Speer³ (William¹, John²).

James G. Speer was County Judge for several years and became a respected and influential leader of the community. C. E. Howard’s biography (1915) gives the following tribute:

"Judge J. G. Speer was a staunch defender of the right, though it might be the weaker side, and was independent of popular opinion in taking a stand against what he conceived to be wrong and would never buy success by compromising principle. ...he became widely known and deservedly esteemed. He took an active part in the organization of (Orange) County... He was repeatedly called to places of honor and trust, serving one term in the lower House of the Legislature and two terms in the State Senate. At one time he was a candidate for the US Senate, lacking only one vote of election, causing a deadlock for ten days, at which time he withdrew his name. Two years later he was a candidate before the gubernatorial convention for governor of the state and hung that body several days when he withdrew in favor of Honorable Francis P. Flemming, who was elected.

When duty called him to antagonize a powerful and unscrupulous interest, he did not hesitate. The liquor traffic felt and remembers the blows he gave it in the legislature and before the people. He was in the convention that gave the state its present constitution, and was the author of Article 19 of the constitution, regulating the liquor business." Judge James G. Speer³ successfully championed his home community of Ft. Gatlin in a public vote for the location of a new county seat.

"On the day of the referendum in October 1856, {Judge} Speer invited a company of militia soldiers stationed in Sumter County--who were eligible to vote anywhere they happened to be on election day--to {Ft. Gatlin} for a picnic. Their votes put {Ft. Gatlin} over the top."R

Judge Speer named the new site ‘Orlando’ for one of Shakespeare’s characters^O,Q. Today the city of Orlando continues to thrive and is the economic and social center of east-central Florida.

Little else is known about James G. Speer or his family. His wife is unknown, but her name might have been Josophina. They had five children:

Born Died

4-A) Bidy Virginia Speer⁴ c1843

4-B) John B. Speer⁴ c1844

4-C) Arthur Speer⁴ 1852 After 1919

4-D) Emma Speer⁴ c1854

4-E) Eugene Speer⁴ c1857

4-C) Arthur Speer⁴ (William¹, John², James³) was born in Augusta, Georgia in October, 1852 and moved to Florida with his father in 1854. After the Civil War, he returned to South Carolina for schooling. In 1874 he took a homestead near Oakland, Florida and began an orange grove. Arthur married Alice Roper in 1877 and had a son, W. E. Speer⁵ (William¹, John², James³, Arthur⁴), who lived in Dania, Florida. Alice died in 1880 and on March 15, 1882 Arthur married M. C. Kincaid, of Murphy, North Carolina, by whom he had two children, Gertrude K. and James P. Speer⁵ (William¹, John², James³, Arthur⁴). James P. Speer became a lawyer at Comanche, Oklahoma and in 1915 was a member of the House of Representatives from Stevens County, Oklahoma.

5) Martha Speer³ (William¹, John²) married Jonathan Galloway and was alive in 1866. Her birth and death dates are unknown.

6) Elizabeth Caldwell Speer³ (William¹, John²) was born January 16, 1809. She married Miles Hardy (?-1843)

from Abbeville District on January 14, 1830 and they had four children (CHAPTER 1). She married Benjamin Dozier Kay (1820-1886) of Abbeville District on December 23, 1847. Benjamin was the son of Robert Kay (1789-1834) and Armond Shirley (1792-1874). Robert was the son of James Kay (1763-?) and Grace Elgin. James was the son of Robert Kay and Priscilla Strother. Benjamin and Elizabeth had one son, Benjamin Caldwell Kay⁴ (William¹, John², Elizabeth³), who was born on January 12, 1849. Benjamin Caldwell married his cousin Kitty Leola Latimer on January 10, 1878. Kitty was born on February 14, 1860 and was the daughter of James Marion Latimer (1815-?) and Eleanor Jane Lockhart. Benjamin Caldwell died August 24, 1905; Kitty died August 31, 1940; they are buried side-by-side in the Smyrna Methodist Church Cemetery in Lowndesville, Abbeville County, South Carolina. Ben and Kitty had seven children (CHAPTER 7) including Eula May Kay⁵ (William¹, John², Elizabeth³, Benjamin⁴). Eula May married her second-cousin-one-removed William Mark Speer, Sr.⁴ (William¹, William², Andrew³) in 1907 (CHAPTER 13). Elizabeth Caldwell Speer died August 12, 1870 and is also buried in the Smyrna Methodist Cemetery.

7) William Alexander Speer³ (William¹, John²) was born in 1811 and is covered in more detail in CHAPTER 8. His son John Andrew Speer⁴ (William¹, John², William³) is covered in CHAPTER 9. His son Daniel Norwood Speer⁴ (William¹, John², William³) is covered in CHAPTER 10.

8) John Caldwell Speer³ (William¹, John²) was born about 1817. He married Jane Elizabeth Anderson on March 17, 1847. Jane was born April 7, 1827 and was previously married to a Mr. Hardy. She was the daughter of George F. Anderson (1797-1881) and Amelia Smith. John and Jane had nine children (CHAPTER 1) and lived in Florida for a time. However, they were settled in Anderson County, South Carolina by the time of the 1850 Census survey. At the 1860 Census, they lived in Abbeville County. The different counties in the two Census may be due to confusion

over boundaries. John served as a Private in Company D, 48th Mississippi Regiment during the Civil War and was paroled at Appomattox at General Lee's surrender (CHAPTER 19). He returned to Abbeville County after the war. See Figure 4-7 for a tracing of his signature from February 26, 1874^J.

February 26, 1874

Figure 4-7

Tracing of signature of John Caldwell Speer³ (c1817-1879).

John died in 1879 but it is not known where he is buried. Jane died January 20, 1881 and is buried in an Anderson family plot near Ninety Six in Greenwood County, South Carolina (Figure 4-8). See Figure 4-9 for a tracing of the 1869 signature of John's son Arthur Speer⁴ (William¹, John², John³).

9) Sarah M. Speer³ (William¹, John²) was born June 17, 1829. She married Dr. William H. Ellington on December 2, 1847 and moved to Mississippi where their only child Elizabeth⁴ (William¹, John², Sarah³) was born about 1848. By the 1850 Census, she and her daughter Elizabeth were living with her father and mother in Anderson (probably Abbeville) County. Sarah and her mother apparently died from an unknown epidemic in 1851; Sarah on July 18 and her mother on July 27. Sarah is buried beside her parents in the Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Lowndesville, South Carolina (Figure 4-5).

SPEER

JANE E. ANDERSON
BORN
APRIL 7, 1827

Married to

JOHN C. SPEER

March 17, 1847

DIED
Jan. 20, 1881

Figure 4-8
Tombstone of Jane Elizabeth Anderson Speer (1827-1881). Mt. Lebanon Methodist Church Cemetery, Greenwood County, South Carolina.

September 2, 1869

Figure 4-9

Tracing of signature of Arthur Speer⁴ (William¹, John², John³).

NOTES FOR CHAPTER 4

A Speer, William, Jr., family history letter of 1869 and manuscript of 1874. Some transcription problems in the 1874 manuscript assign incorrect birth dates to the children of William, Sr. See APPENDIX A for transcripts of both manuscripts.

B Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, 1861-1865; General Topographic Map, Sheet VIII, Plate CXLIII. This map shows a cluster of three buildings at the intersection at Cherokee Heights. On several visits in 1995, I found the ruins of three additional home sites within a few thousand feet of the intersection. Apparently a small community developed around the intersection where William Speer, Sr.'s general store was located.

C Waddel, M., A Register of Marriages.

D US Census Records for South Carolina; National Archives Microfilm at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library, Charlotte, NC:

1810 M-252 Reel 60 p. 14.

1820 M-33 Reel 118 p. 11A.

1830 M-19 Reel 169 p. 83.

1840 M-704 Reel 507 p. 18.

1850 M-432 Reel 848 p. 76; & Reel 861, Nov 26 1850.

1860 M-653 Reel 1212 p. 236; & Reel 1229, p. 244.

E Rocky River Presbyterian Church, 1818. Religious Tract Society meeting on March 10, 1818. The meeting took place at the Rocky River Presbyterian Church at Church Hill, Abbeville Co., SC. Today only the non-maintained cemetery survives.

F Wooley, 1981, v. 2, p. 280.

G Teal and Stets, p. 52-53.

H Abbeville County Probate Office, Box 74 Pack 1798, James Pearson.

I Young, 1977, p. 77, 132, 249, 309, and 512; Wooley, v. 1, p. 128; and Abbeville County Probate Office, Box 74 Pack 1798, James Pearson, and Box 23 Pack 520, Agnus Crawford.

J Abbeville County Probate Office, Box 172 Pack 4618, John Speer; and Wills Book no. 4, 1855-1869, p. 553-556.

K Young, 1977, p. 53.

L Wooley, ed., v. I, p. 235.

M Although no marriage record exists, two other sources suggest that John remarried. In his 1865 Will, John bequeaths an annuity "to my beloved wife Mary L. Speer". The 1860 Census also shows that John's wife is "Mary L. Speer, age 62". John's first wife Elizabeth died in 1851.

N Speer, Lewis Nimmons, 1994, Personal Communication.

O Howard, C. E., 1915, p 11-12.

P Andrews, M., 1994.

Q Whitner, Mrs. J. N., 1910, p. 10.

R Robinson, J., 1993.