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Valentine Hollingsworth's "New Descendants" |
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Written by Douglas Hollingsworth
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Tuesday, 01 May 2012 22:18 |
VALENTINE HOLLINGSWORTH'S "NEW DESCENDANTS"
Our correspondent, Miss Jeanne Coan of Bruceville, Indiana, has been successful in her long, search to prove her descent from Valentine Hollingsworth, Sr. In proving it, she has caused to be added a whole “new family" of descent, hitherto unattached from earlier generations, We want to share her find with our readers.
The method called "stockpiling" genealogical data, no matter how insignificant some of it may appear, is vindicated in this success story. The final legal proof was made clear because so much had been gathered from so many sources. The Quaker meeting-house record books, land deeds, probate records and a published geneal¬ogy, combined to weave the full tapestry.
The series of deeds on Hollingsworth from Union District, South Carolina, currently running in the "REGISTER" is an important, part in this discovery. Other deeds, located by John V. Hollingsworth, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, (while on a trip to the South last summer) in the Anson. County, North Carolina", courthouse, "clinched the deal,” and a legal tie was made between Miss Coan's line, and the older Quaker Hollingsworths! This writer is happy to have had a part in such a success story.
The particular line “found” passes from Valentine Hollingsworth, Sr., (1632-171-) through his son Thomas Hollingsworth by Thomas' second wife Grace Cook, and then to Thomas' son Joseph Hollingsworth who married Martha Houghton. In his valuable book, "Descendants of Valentine Hollingsworth, Sr.," (1925), Mr, Joseph Adger Stewart brought the line of descent to that point, but not further. On page 2-B, we find the following:
"(Thomas2 Hollingsworth; Valentine1.)
"Issue 2nd Marriage ....
"IX. JOSEPH3 - Born March 11 (May 11th is correct Quaker date - Ed.) 1709. Married in 1730, Martha Haughton. Removed to Virginia; more of Joseph later."
But there is no "more of Joseph" in the book. Either this last statement was an oversight, or the later continuation was accidentally omitted.
Joseph Hollingsworth went South vary early. He sojourned in Virginia, but went to North Carolina before 1753 (when he received a grant of land from Governor Matthew Rowen) and died in Anson County before 1757. The records which establish these items as facts are: (1) The Certificate of Removal dated 3mo. 2, 1741, for Joseph and Martha Hollingsworth, from Pennsylvania to Hope¬well 'Monthly Meeting of Quakers, in Virginia, (2) Deed Book "M" p. 304, Union District, South Carolina, reciting the Grant of 4 Sept. 1753; (3) Estate Administration Papers, 1757, Joseph Hollingsworth, deceased, Anson County, Worth Carolina.
Hopewell Meeting records are incomplete before 1750, caused by a fire in the home of the Clerk, Mr. Jolliffe when some of the oldest books were destroyed. We were thus cheated of an "easy" research channel. Probably some or most of the children of Joseph and Martha were born in Virginia, and the family record put into
those books. But we can never tell. Doubtless some of the younger children were born in Anson County, Worth Carolina, but no record books have been found to contain the entries.
The deed recited and recorded in Book “M” pages304-308 in Union County, South Carolina, records, March 21, 1815, was actually written and dated 27 July, 1773. It shows that "Thomas Hollingsworth, son and heir at law to Joseph Hollingsworth, late of Anson County in the Province of North Carolina, Deceased,” was deeding the land of his father, to his nephews, "Levi & Thomas Hollingsworth, sons to Abraham Hollingsworth, Berkeley County in the Province of South Carolina, deceased. Amey Hollingsworth, "executrix of the estate of Abraham Hollingsworth, Deceased," is also mentioned. Compare these facts with the Family Record of Abraham and Amey Hollingsworth, recorded in the Bush River Meeting Records, South Carolina. (HOLLINGSWORTH REGISTER, Vol. 1, page 22.)
Next, Deed in Book # 6, pages 418-420, Anson County, North Carolina dated 1757: "Thomas Hollingsworth, son and heir at law to Joseph Hollingsworth... (to) Abraham Hollingsworth his brother, of Anson County, North Carolina." Thomas Hollingsworth is given as of residence in Granvil County, Province of South Carolina. He is no doubt the eldest son, in order to be, under the old English law of First born male rights (Primogeniture), the “heir at law,” in a case of an intestacy estate proceeding. Apparently this man was single. In Georgia land records there is mention of such a Thomas Hollingsworth, “from South Carolina." What became of him we do not know. Between 1757, the date of the North Carolina deed, and 1773, the date of the South Carolina deed, Abraham Hollingsworth died (May 9, 1771 - Bush River Meeting Book of Births & Deaths.) This necessitated a "re-statement of this grant to Abraham's two male heirs, Levi and Thomas, then, minors under 10 years of age.
Book # 5, pages 156, 157, Anson County Deeds, is a similar Indenture between the same Thomas and "his brother, William Hollingsworth, Anson County." Part of the same grant was here conveyed to this man. The date on this one is Sept. 10, 1757. Bush River Record Book shows just such a William Hollingsworth to have had wife Hannah, and children Mary, Joseph, Ann, Rebeckah, Hannah, William, Peter and John, all born between 1764-1782.
By combining all these records, we have virtual legal proof of the names and circumstances of at least three sons of Joseph & Martha (Houghton) Hollingsworth. Miss Jeanne Coan is a descendant of both Levi and, Thomas Hollingsworth, children of Abraham and Amey.
The Bush River Minutes, also show that "Isaac Hollingsworth, son of Joseph & Martha, Craven County, South Carolina, married, 8mo. 11, 1774, Ann Cox”. Although there is less “legality" here, the circumstances show this man to be still another son! Isaac died in 1812. We have published his Last Will in our December issue. He was disowned from the Quakers. In his will, Isaac makes mention of land which belonged to his “brother, Joseph Hollingsworth." So we have located a fifth child of Joseph & Martha! This Joseph is called "Junior" in some of the Union District Deeds. He died 9mo. (Sept.) 10, 1792, and his age was 54. (Bush River Records) He is, therefore, the only one of these men whose approximate year of birth (1738) is known. This establishes his birth in Pennsylvania, but we have not found a record of this event in Quaker records there. He is doubtless the man who married Lydia Comer (or Comber) about 1783, perhaps as second wife, for "Lydia Hollingsworth" was Administratrix of his Estate. (Union District Probates.)
Finally, in the Bush River Minutes is the following: "Martha Hollingsworth, Craven County, South Carolina, married Benjamin Hawkins, l0mo. (Oct. New Style) 10, 1771." Remember, Isaac Hollingsworth was stated to be son of Joseph & Martha, Craven County. Although it should have stated that Joseph was deceased, there is no doubt the mother was still living. We must assume, therefore, that Martha was another child. The Hawkins family later migrated to Butler' County, Ohio.
Up to the time the valuable deeds above described were found, it was supposed by some that Joseph and Martha died childless! Beside the six above named children, we have found no others among the records presently at hand.
Mr. J. A. Stewart's book, on page 160, and listed under the heading “NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILIES NOT TRACED, BUT PROBABLY DESCENDANTS OF VALENTINE HOLLINGSWORTH, SR." we read: "1-a. WILLIAM HOLLINGSWORTH Emigrated from South Carolina, 1805, with six other families of the same name. At Crab Orchard, Ky., they divided; three families went to Ohio, and the rest to Indiana. Levi, Thomas, and Daniel, to Ohio; Joseph, Peter, John and William to Indiana. William probably born in Virginia or North Carolina. Died in Indiana, 1809, age about 80 years." The names Stewart lists as William's children show it is the same man as above, the son of Joseph and Martha. Levi and Thomas, as stated, did not go to Ohio, but went to Indiana, as our friend, Miss Coan, has shown us from the early tax lists and voters' records. But we will not attempt to go further into these later generations now.
Let us carefully assume that the following "schedule" is the correct one - the presently known family record:-
JOSEPH3 HOLLINGSWORTH, ninth child of Thomas2 by Grace (Cook) Hollingsworth, born May 11, 1709, Pennsylvania; died abort 1757, Anson County, North Carolina, aged about 48 years.
Married, April 23, 1730, MARTHA HOUGHTON, (daughter of John Houghton, New Castle County, Delaware, whose will, dated March 10, proved May 27, 1720 Book C p. 221, names wife Ann, daughters Martha, Mary, Rebecca, Dina Dixon, Ann Dixon, and sons Henry, William, John and Thomas; son-(in-law) George Dixon.) She probably born about 1710; last known (?) to be alive when she took a certificate dated May 26, 1770, from New Garden Meeting, North Carolina, to Fredericksburgh (alias Wateree) Meeting, Craven Co., South Carolina. They took certificate first from Kennett Meeting, Penna., dated 3mo. (May) 2, 1741, to Hopewell Meeting, Frederick County, Va.
Issue of Joseph & Martha (Houghton) Hollingsworth:-(Incomplete data.)
1. THOMAS4, born about 1731/2. Alive, Granville County, South Carolina, 1773. Probably never married. May have gone to Georgia.
2. JOSEPH4, born 1737/8. Died Sept.10, 1792 age 54. Probably married (? as 2d wife) LYDIA COMAR, Admx of his Estate. (Union Dist. Probates, South Carolina.) No record of any children. (Perhaps ? Enoch5, Rachel5, Thamer5.)
3. WILLIAM4, born about 1740-44, Virginia?; died 1809, Indiana, about 70 years. Went to Indiana from South Carolina about 1805 with nephews and cousins. Married, before 1764, HANNAH - (she died Jan. 25, 1783). Issue: a. Mary5, b. Joseph5, c. Ann5, d, Rebeckah5, e. Hannah5 f. William5, g. Peter5, h. John5.
4. ABRAHAM4, born about 1742-46, Virginia?; died March 9, 1771, South Carolina. Married, before 1765, AMEY - (Living, 1808, Union District, S.C. - Deeds.) Issue: a. Levi5, b. Thomas5, c. Martha5.
? 5. ISAAC4 born about 1750; Virginia or North Carolina; Died 1812, Union District, S.C, aged about 62. (Buried? New Garden Meetinghouse, North Carolina,) Married, 1774, ANN COX. (He disowned from Quakers?) Issue: a. Mary5 (md. Daniel Hollingsworth); b. Isaac5; c. Enoch5; d. Ann5; Martha5,
? 6.MARTHA4. born before 1755, (Anson Co., N.C.?) md. Oct. 10, 1771, BENJAMIN HAWKINS. Moved to Butler County, Ohio about 1808. Issue: a. Thomas Hawkins; b. Isaac Hawkins; c. William Hawkins; d. Eli Hawkins; e. Joseph Hawkins; f. Amos Hawkins.
As we close this article, remember that the above scheme is not at all conclusive. But the three sons, Thomas, William and Abraham are at least secure with the lines that trace beyond.. The Estate of Joseph3 Hollingsworth was granted to Martha on 6 Jan. 1758, and the report of the Inventory of same dated 14 Apr., 1758, Will Book # 1, Anson Co., N.C. (Anson County, N.C. Abstracts of Early Records, May Wilson McBee Collections, Vol I., p. 118, p. 129 & p. 184. ) Adam McCool was a witness. A Joseph Hollingsworth was disowned from Hopewell Quaker Meeting, dated Feb. 7, 1763, who was before this discovery, thought to be our subject. As he was already long dead, we know it was another Joseph. But another minute Of Hopewell dated Oct. 5, 1767, states "Joseph Hollingsworth, Condemned for marrying out of unity, with recommendations from his neighbours in Carolina." This would explain why Lydia Comer was disowned for marrying the Joseph Jr., above.( if same man), because he was already “out of union" with Friends. (Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy,. Vol. VI., page 402.)
We hope that this information will help many others find their "lost ancestors."
(Source: Hollingsworth Register, Vol. 2, No. 2 June 1966)
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 May 2012 22:30 |
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