CHAPTER 6
Chapter 6Alexander 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.
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The William Speer Descendent report (Chapter 1) has been omitted. A greatly updated version can be found at:
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http://hometown.aol.com/wspeer1161/myhomepage/heritage.html
{Wade E Speer July 20, 2000}
CHAPTER 6
ALEXANDER SPEER FAMILY
Alexander Speer2 (William1) was the third child of William Speer and Eleanor Little Norris Speer (CHAPTER 2). He was a frontiersman, planter, politician, lawyer, accomplished orator and public debater, Methodist minister, judge, and family man. He was a highly respected member of South Carolina politics and earned the complimentary title 'Esquire'. Alexander’s middle initial may have been "M."; however he apparently never used it. See APPENDIX B for an 1899 newspaper account that details the outstanding accomplishments of Alexander.
Growing Up
Alexander2 was born on August 23, 1790 in what latter became Abbeville County, South Carolina. Like his two older brothers and future sister, he was born in his parents' homestead on Carter Island in the middle of the Savannah River. William and Eleanor Speer settled the homestead in 1785 on land recently acquired from the Cherokee Indians. This was a wilderness homestead of great remoteness and isolation, which required the family to be resourceful and hard-working; qualities that Alexander learned well.Nothing is known about his early life, but it is easy to imagine the life of a small boy growing up in this wilderness. His brothers and sister, along with probable half-brothers and half-sisters from his mother's first marriage, must have been constant companions. The island home, untamed river, and surrounding forests probably provided a fairyland environment for the young man. Unlimited fishing and hunting would have been a dream come true for most boys. For the Speer family, it was a way of life.
The realities of wilderness homestead living also meant lots of chores and responsibilities. The family raised numerous crops on the island, operated a grist mill, and ran a general store (CHAPTER 2). Doubtless Alexander2 contributed his share of the family's work load.
His mother Eleanor died in 1795 when he was five years old. His father William remarried in 1799. In the mean time, Alexander's formal education probably began.
Schooling
The importance of education in the Speer household was mentioned in earlier chapters. Like his older brothers, Alexander2 probably attended the Reverend Moses Waddel private school at Church Hill. This famous school was located adjacent to the Rocky River Presbyterian Church (CHAPTERS 5 and 6). Years later Alexander2, who was repeatedly honored for his oratorical abilities, gave credit to the proverbial 'one room schoolhouse in the wilderness' of his childhood, apparently a reference to the Waddel school.Alexander's education, combined with his great intelligence, carried him far in life. They are evident in his very promising political career and later in his religious and judicial careers. Indeed, Alexander's heritage of intelligence passed to his descendants, as is evident by their stories elsewhere in this book.
Marriage
Ten days before his twenty-third birthday, Alexander2 married Elizabeth Middleton on August 13, 1813. The Reverend William Barr performed the ceremony. Alexander was a law student at the time. He and Elizabeth had six children (see below).
Elizabeth
Some confusion exists about Elizabeth's family. She was apparently not directly related to the Middleton Plantation family of Charleston, South Carolina, as reported in some referencesA. Although her birth date is unknown, she was the daughter of Major Hugh Teare Middleton (c1715-1803) and Lucy WilliamsB. Hugh Teare was born in Charles County, Maryland and died November 30, 1803 at his home "Locust Dale" in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He first moved to Georgia and then to South Carolina where, by 1767, he served in the Revolutionary War with South Carolina troops. He settled near the Savannah River, approximately three miles southwest of Clark's Hill Depot. Additional wives include Martha Haynie, Agatha Garrett, and Sarah ????. He had a total of eight children. Hugh Teare's parents were William Middleton (1685-1769) of Charles County, Maryland and Elizabeth Teares (c1689-c1753). William Middleton's parents were Robert Middleton (1651-1708) and Mary Wheeler (1658-?)B.
Census
Only the 1820 and 1830 Census surveys contain information on Alexander's familyC:1810 no entry
1820 Alexander Speer, Head of household, Abbeville District, SC
2 males <10
1 male 10-16
2 females <10
1 female 16-26
15 slaves:
4 males <16 2 females <16
1 male 16-26 5 females 16-26
1 male 26-45 2 females 26-45
1830 Alexander Speer, Head of household, Abbeville District, SC
1 male <5
2 males 10-15
1 male 40-50
1 female 5-10
1 female 10-15
1 female 30-40
35 slaves:
10 males <10 6 females 10-24
6 males 10-24 4 females 24-36
2 males 24-36 5 females 36-55
1 male 36-55 1 female 55-100
The large number of slaves suggests that Alexander2, like his two older brothers, lived on a plantation and raised crops for sale. Nothing is known about the location of this plantation but it is presumed to have been near the Church Hill Post Office since that is the address on several of Alexander's letters written between 1827 and 1830 (APPENDIX D). Apparently Alexander2 left his father's homestead soon after marrying Elizabeth in 1813 and was settled on his own plantation by 1820. The 1820's were evidently profitable as evidenced by the large increase in slaves seen in the 1830 Census. These records suggest that Alexander was considerably well off even before his inheritance from his father's estate in 1830. The 1820's must have been a happy time for the family since most of his children were born during this period, his plantation was flourishing, and his political career was rapidly developing.
Legal Services
Alexander2, like his two brothers, served his community in several legal matters. The following is a partial list of estate documents from the Abbeville County Probate Office that contain Alexander's name in an official capacityD:20 Dec 1811 Witness to James Robinson will.
5 Aug 1816 Administrator of Lunsford Buford estate.
13 Sep 1817 Administrator of William Tennent estate.
24 Sep 1822 Inventory of Francis Young estate.
28 Aug 1826 Heir in William Speer, Sr. will.
Alexander The Politician
Alexander was elected to four terms as the Abbeville District Representative to the South Carolina House of RepresentativesE:24th General Assembly Nov 27-Dec 20, 1820 & Nov 26-Dec 20, 1821
25th General Assembly Nov 25-Dec 21, 1822 & Nov 24-Dec 20, 1823
26th General Assembly Nov 22-Dec 18, 1824 & Nov 18-Dec 20, 1825
29th General Assembly Nov 22-Dec 18, 1830 & Nov 28-Dec 17, 1831
He also served as the State Comptroller General from 1826 until he resigned in September 1830 to return to the Legislature as Abbeville District RepresentativeF. He may have served again as Comptroller General in 1832G. While Comptroller General, Alexander2 submitted the state's renewed claim against the US Government for reimbursement of expenditures incurred during the War of 1812. In this effort, he exchanged several letters with President Andrew Jackson, South Carolina Governors John Taylor and Stephen Miller, US Senator George McDuffie, and the South Carolina Legislature (APPENDIX D). In addition, he prepared a seventy-one page report to the Committee on Military Affairs of the South Carolina House of RepresentativesF.
Alexander's political letters in APPENDIX D reflect the eloquence and grace that he was known for. They are a useful insight into the man, and express the thoughts of a confident and well-versed statesman from South Carolina's early nineteenth century. See Figure 6-1 for copies of Alexander's signatures from these documents.
October 31, 1827
Letter to John Taylor, South Carolina Governor from 1826 to 1828
December 23, 1829
Letter to Andrew Jackson, US President from 1829 to 1837
September 29, 1830
Letter to Stephen Decatur Miller, South Carolina Governor
from 1828 to 1830
Figure 6-1
Tracings of Alexander Speer2 signatures on letters he wrote to two South Carolina Governors and President Andrew Jackson.
The following passage from a 1988 history of South Carolina's pre-Civil War period gives a clear idea of Alexander's position on government spending during a time of economic hardship:
"When the legislature convened in November 1828, cotton prices were down to eight cents a pound, and a strong political faction led by the state's tight-fisted Comptroller General Alexander Speer, an Abbeville native, pushed hard for drastic reduction in state spending."H
Nullification Movement
Alexander's promising political career was greatly advanced by his superior ability in public debate, a characteristic that received widespread notice. South Carolina at this time was deeply embroiled in the 'Nullification Movement' and much heated debate was carried on amongst politicians as well as the population in general. Strong political forces in the state, led by Abbeville residents John C. Calhoun and George McDuffie, pushed for the nullification of the U.S. Constitution. This was the beginning of the States' Rights Movement that led up to the Civil War in 1861.
Alexander Opposes Nullification
Apparently Alexander2 was opposed to breaking away from the US Government and he became a strong spokesman for the 'Union Cause'. The following passages from published sources give an idea of the intensity of the ongoing debate and Alexander's capable response."Alexander was a political leader in South Carolina during the nullification agitation. He was a stanch supporter of the Union, and was said to have been more than a match in public debate for the redoubtable McDuffie, the leader of the Nullifiers."
I"Alexander Speer was a man of broad culture, great eloquence and extensive influence. He was secretary of state or comptroller-general of South Carolina in 1826. With Petigrue and a few others, Alexander Speer resisted the nullification theories of the Calhoun party. He was put forward as the protagonist of the Union party and the opponent in public discussions of such men as McDuffie. The late Benjamin C. Yancey, of Athens, often declared to the writer that Alexander Speer was in public discussion more than a match for that great nullifier".
JAlexander, "being possessed of a liberal education, arose to great prominence in the palmetto state. He was a leader in the state and the legislature during the eventful years from 1830 to 1833, and was recognized to be the full peer of James M. Hamilton and the great McDuffie. He was in the legislature at the time the nullification act was passed, and took a great part in the fight. He was always a Union man, but was elected in the district in which John C. Calhoun lived and was never defeated for any office to which he aspired." He "was distinguished for his oratory and his high-minded character. He possessed a depth of wisdom and breath of thought that placed him in comparison with Daniel Webster or Bishop Elliott."
K"...Alexander Speer, one of the foremost men in the Union party of South Carolina in nullification days."
L"Alexander Speer was one of the foremost men of the Palmetto state." "...his superb oratory and his original force of mind made him a factor in public affairs; and he was frequently honored with high civic positions. It is said that he was never defeated for any office to which he aspired; and the fact is all the more remarkable since he lived in the Abbeville district, yet differed with Mr. Calhoun on the issue of nullification."
M"Brother Speer was a remarkable man. He was, in his early life, a conspicuous figure in South Carolina politics. At one time he was Secretary of State in that Commonwealth and was one of the ablest and readiest political debaters known to its history. There can be little doubt that but for the over-shadowing influence of Mr. Calhoun, he would have risen to great political eminence in his native state. Both Petigrue and Legare were kept out of the political fields by this same influence, and they were both men of vast ability. At that date Federalism, or to call it by a milder term, Whigism, was reckoned a political felony for which there was no absolution. We dare say that Brother Speer was in the end all the happier by his withdrawal from politics."
NBefore the controversy was over, the state passed the Nullification Act, only to rescind it a short time later. South Carolina's independence sentiments would surface many more times in the coming years and would prove to be a key ingredient in the controversy leading up to the Civil War. Alexander's opposition to nullification had proved to be unpopular and probably ended his political career. However, he apparently later told an interestingly different story.
Alexander The Methodist Minister
In 1832, Alexander2 moved his family to Culloden, Monroe County, Georgia. He gave up his plantation, his political career, and his native state. In Georgia, he became a highly-regarded Methodist Minister and served numerous churches throughout the southern and central parts of the state. Alexander attributed the move and career change to the spiritual commitment he made when he was deathly ill and did not expect to live. He promised the Lord he would devote the rest of his life to His teachings if his life was spared. He survived the illness, moved to Georgia, and preached for the rest of his lifeI,J. Although this story is published in several sources, it is not confirmed. Alexander's public speaking achievements provided his new religious career with honors and wide-spread acclaim. The following is a partial list of his second-career accomplishmentsO:1832 Minister Methodist Episcopal Church, Culloden,
Monroe Co., GA.
1833-???? Editor, LaGrange Reporter (Methodist Newspaper?), LaGrange, Troup Co., GA.
1835 Minister Trinity Methodist Church, Savannah, GA.
1835-1837 Minister Mulberry Street Church, Macon, Bibb Co., GA.
1836 Deacon Mulberry Methodist Church, Macon, Bibb Co., GA.
1839 Elder Methodist Church.
1838-1839 Minister Macon Methodist Church, Columbus,
Muscogee Co., GA.
1841-1842 Minister Augusta Methodist Church, Richmond Co., GA.
1843 Supply
Reverend Alexander Speer2 also had the honor of giving the first Commencement Sermon at Emory College in Oxford, GeorgiaP.
The following is a partial list of marriages performed by Reverend Alexander SpeerQ:
19 Mar 1839 Columbus, Muscogee Co, GA; T. Vivian Rutherford to F. Eliza Mitchell.
8 Sep 1839 Muscogee Co, GA; Charles G. Bize
to Charlotte E. Folkenberry.
8 Sep 1839 Columbus, Muscogee Co, GA; Elisha Reid
to Elmyra A. Owens.
28 Apr 1840 Francisville, Crawford Co, GA; James C. Whitaker to Margaret E. Bigham.
25 Aug 1851 Troup Co., GA; Henry Orum to Carolina Willis.
Alexander The Public Servant
On November 15, 1836, Alexander2 was the Monroe County delegate on the "Committee of 40". This committee was formed from county delegates and was set up for the purpose of promoting the first railroad system for the stateR. Over the next 20 years, railroads were built throughout the state. See APPENDIX B for an interesting story of Alexander’s promotion of a contest between horses and a steam locomotive.Alexander2 was active in the educational affairs of his community and the state of Georgia. He organized and participated in debating societies in CullodenS. In addition, he was a founder of the old Georgia Female College in 1836. The college was located in Macon and was later renamed Wesleyan Female CollegeT. Two of Alexander’s daughters were among the first to graduate from the collegeU.
Elizabeth's Death
Elizabeth died on October 12, 1838 and was buried in the Culloden Cemetery, Monroe County, Georgia (Figure 6-2).
SACRED
TO
MRS. ELIZA SPEER
Late Wife of
Rev. Alexander Speer
She Died 12 Oct 1838
With Strong Faith in a
Glorious Immortality
----------
Figure 6-2
Tombstone of Elizabeth Middleton Speer (?-1838). Culloden Cemetery, Culloden, Monroe County, Georgia.
Second Marriage
Alexander2 married Mary Baird Grant on January 30, 1839. The ceremony was performed by Reverend Thomas Samford. Mary was a widow at the time. Her birth date, former husband, and parents are unknown. She died August 24, 1846 and was buried beside Elizabeth in the Culloden Cemetery (Figure 6-3). Her tombstone gives her name as Mrs. Mary P. Speer. It is not known what the 'P' stands for. Alexander and Mary had two children (see below).
TO
The Memory of
MRS. MARY P. SPEER
Who Departed this Life Aug. 24th
1846
Here was a life of Piety, and her end
was Peace
That Gildren's love, mingled with tears,
Now consecrate thy tomb
And Lions (?????) in coming years,
Shall mourn thy (????) lighted bloom.
---------
OUR MOTHER
Figure 6-3
Tombstone of Mary Baird Grant Speer (?-1846). Culloden Cemetery, Culloden, Monroe County, Georgia.
Third Marriage
In 1848, Alexander2 married Caroline G. Day. He was 58 and she was 26 at the time. Caroline was born August 28, 1822 in Edgewood, Jones County, Georgia. Her mother was Mrs. Caroline Day. Caroline G. outlived Alexander and after his death married Joseph Winship of Atlanta in 1858. Caroline died June 11, 1860 in Upsom County, Georgia and is buried in a city cemetery in Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia. She and Alexander apparently did not have any children.
Alexander The Judge
Alexander Speer2 was Judge of Troup County Inferior Court from 1853 to 1854. Apparently he had moved and was living in LaGrange, the county seat.
Alexander's Death
On April 26, 1856, four years before the Civil War began, Alexander2 died in LaGrange. He was 65 years old and had lived two highly-acclaimed careers. He was buried beside Elizabeth and Mary in the Culloden Cemetery, Monroe County, Georgia (Figure 6-4). No will or estate papers have been found.
Children
Many of Alexander's descendants inherited his legacy of intelligence and accomplishments and established prominent careers and families in Georgia and Florida. As mentioned earlier, he had eight children, six by Elizabeth and two by Mary Baird Grant:Born Died
1) Alphed Speer3 unknown unknown
2) Martha Eleanor Speer3 14 Jun 1814 17 Feb 1890
3) Algernon Sidney Speer3, MD c1818 May 1857
4) Alexander Middleton Speer3, Judge 27 Feb 1820 28 Mar 1897
5) Eustace Willhouby Speer3, DD 1 Dec 1826 29 Oct 1899
6) Mary Eugenia Speer3 4 Nov 1840 18 Feb 1869
7) Francis Albert Speer3 c1842 17 Mar 1863
8) Margaret Speer3 unknown Before 1899
Figure 6-4
Tombstone of Alexander Speer2 (1790-1856). Culloden Cemetery, Culloden, Monroe County, Georgia.
Children by Elizabeth Middleton:
1) Alphed Speer3 (William1, Alexander2); birth and death dates are unknown.
2) Martha Eleanor Speer3 (William1, Alexander2) was born June 14, 1814 in Abbeville, South Carolina and died February 17, 1890 in Macon, Georgia. She is buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon.
3) Algernon Sidney Speer3 (William1, Alexander2) was born about 1818. He was a physician and pioneer orange grove planter in Florida. He is the subject of CHAPTER 15.
4) Alexander Middleton Speer3 (William1, Alexander2) was born February 27, 1820. He was a Civil War Major (CHAPTER 19) and renown Georgia Superior Court Judge. He is the subject of CHAPTER 16.
5) Eustace Willhouby Speer3 (William1, Alexander2) was born December 1, 1826 and became a leading Methodist Minister in Georgia. He is the subject of CHAPTER 17.
Children by Mary Baird Grant:
6) Mary Eugenia Speer3 (William1, Alexander2) was born November 4, 1840 and married George Winship of Atlanta on November 14, 1860. George was the son of Joseph Winship and Emily Hutchings and was born December 20, 1835. In 1862, George Winship joined the Confederate States Army and served in Company G, Cobb's Legion of Cavalry, Georgia Volunteers, which was assigned to General J.E.B. Stuart's Cavalry unit. He was wounded in 1862 during the Maryland Campaign and again on June 9, 1863 at the Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia. Mary Eugenia3 died on February 18, 1869. In 1879, George Winship married Lula Lane. He married again in 1896 to Elizabeth Thiot. In 1899, he was elected a trustee of Emory College. It is not known when he died. George and Mary Eugenia had one daughter (CHAPTER 1).
7) Francis Albert Speer3 (William1, Alexander2) was born about 1842 and apparently did not marry. He joined Company D, 6th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Georgia Infantry in 1860. On May 28, 1862, his half brother, Major Alexander Middleton Speer3 (William1, Alexander2) wrote a letter to the Confederate Secretary of War recommending Francis be promoted from Private to Lieutenant (CHAPTER 16). It is not known if the promotion was made. Francis Albert3 was admitted to a Confederate Army hospital in Richmond, Virginia on February 20, 1863 and died of typhoid fever about a month later on March 17. He was 21 years old.
8) Margaret Speer3 (William1, Alexander2); birth and death dates are unknown.
NOTES FOR CHAPTER 6
A
South Caroliniana Library, Columbia, SC, Andera Collection; DAR Lineage Book v. 110, 1914, p. 25, no. 109084; Park, p. 101-2.B
Harpole; Engel, 1972; Holcomb, 1977, p. 6; and SC Gen Soc Lineage Charts, Old Newberry Dist Chap.C
US Census Records; South Carolina; National Archives Microfilm at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library, Charlotte, NC:1820 M-33 Reel 118 p. 32A
1830 M-19 Reel 169 p. 65
D
Young, 1977, p. 36; 309; 368; 430; 439. Also Abbeville County Probate Office; Estate File, Box 109 Pack 3116, James Robinson; Box 11 Pack 221, Lunsford Buford; Box 89 Pack 2205, William Speer, Sr.; Box 104 Pack 2550, Francis Young; and Box 110 Pack 3202, William Tennent.E
Faunt, p. 301, 306, 310, and 322.F
South Caroliniana Library, Alexander Speer files and 1830 report to the SC House of Representatives; Also see APPENDIX D; Ford, 1988, p. 18; Candler and Evans, 1906, p. 343.G
South Caroliniana Library, Columbia, SC; Andera Collection.H
Ford, 1988, p. 18.I
Park, p. 101; Candler and Evans, 1906, p. 344.J
Candler and Evans, 1906, p. 343-44.K
South Hist Assoc, 1895, p. 591.L
White, 1892, p. 161.M
Knight, 1933, p. 360.N
Scott, 1895, p. 122-23.O
Lawrence, 1984a, p. 519; Lawrence, 1984b, p. 176; Evans, 1995, p. 12, 87, 491; Speer, Eustace Willhouby, 1984; Hart, 1964; Hartz, 1929, p. 147; Holcomb, 1979, p. 423; Candler and Evans, 1906, p. 344; Scott, 1895, p. 122-23; Park, p. 101-02.P
Park, p. 101-02.Q Huxford, 1989; and Warren and Hill, 1993, p. 157, 177; Unknown, 1988, p. 35.
R
Evans, 1995, p. 86-7.S
Norwood, p. 24.T
Candler and Evans, 1906, p. 343-44; Park, p. 101; Young and others, 1950, p. 71-2.U
Edwards, 1899.