BENJAMIN HAGOOD FAMILY, Pickens County, S.C. Subject: Newsletter, Volume I, Issue 3, Winter 2004 Version 1.0, 01-May-2003, GB-03.txt ******************************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn Seneca, SC, USA Oconee County SC GenWeb Coordinator Oconee County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Oconee County SC GenWeb Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/cemeteries.html http://www.usgwtombstones.org/southcarolina/oconee.html DATAFILE INPUT : Paul M. Kankula at gcgenweb@bellsouth.net in May-2003 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Margaret "Gary" Hagood Brightwell at ghb90@hotmail.com in May- 2005 ******************************************************************************** EXCERPTS FROM: VOLUME I, ISSUE 3, WINTER 2004 A Newsletter for the descendants and kin of Benjamin Hagood & Adaline Ambler of Old Pendleton/Pickens District, SC EDITOR: GARY HAGOOD BRIGHTWELL Adaline Ambler Our Adaline Ambler, born 1 September, 1808, in Ninety Six District, SC, married Benjamin Hagood on July 4, 1824, in the Pickens District, SC, at the tender age of 15 years. Her husband, Benjamin, was twenty years her senior, being 35 years old at the time of their marriage. Adaline moved with her family from the Ninety Six District (*both Edgefield Dist. & Ninety Six District are mentioned in records) to the Pickens District about 1824, the year of her marriage. She moved with her parents and her older sister, Charlotte (1806-1891); brother James Hagood Ambler (1815-1905); and younger sister, Ann (1810-1906). Her parents lived in the house pictured above and it was probably built sometime shortly after the family's move in 1824. This house, which remarkably is still standing, though in a state of great disrepair, was only a short distance from the lands of her future husband, Benjamin Hagood. Adaline's parents, James Ambler and Susan Hagood (Ambler), continued to live in the house until Susan's death in 1845. Adaline's sister, Charlotte, was also married in 1824 to the Rev. John Burdine. They are both buried at Pickens Chapel, which is now in Anderson County, SC. Adaline's other sister, Ann Ambler, married Elihu H. Griffin, a man who figures prominently in Pickens, SC, history. Elihu H. Griffin sold ninety-four acres of his farm for the new town of Pickens in 1868. He also gave forty acres for the courthouse square. The Griffin home, the first house built in present-day Pickens, still stands proudly on "Ann" Street and continues to be a private residence. Brother, James Hagood Ambler, married Zealy Cox of the Greenville District and they had eight children. James H. Ambler and wife, Zealy, built a home just up the road from his parents' home and from that of his sister, Adaline and her husband, Benjamin Hagood. Amazingly, the James Hagood Ambler house also is still standing and continues to be a private residence. Sadly, the home of Adaline Ambler & Benjamin Hagood no longer exists on their lands in the Midway Community, Pickens, SC, though the Hagood Cemetery on their former land is well-preserved and still in use by the extended Hagood family. Much of the property owned by Benjamin Hagood in the area of the cemetery is still owned by Hagood descendants. All of the Ambler siblings and their parents, James and Susan, are buried at Hagood Cemetery in Pickens, with the exception of Charlotte and her husband, as previously mentioned. *Note: Pendleton County was created in 1789 from Indian lands and was, at that time, a part of the old Ninety-Six District. In 1795, Washington District was carved out of the old Ninety-Six District and included the then-Pendleton County area. Three short years later in 1798, Washington District was abolished and divided into Greenville and Pendleton Districts. In 1826, Pendleton District was further divided into Anderson and Pickens Districts; the name "Pendleton" was discarded and never used again for a South Carolina district or county. A final change was made to the area when the old district system was dismantled in 1868. Pickens District was divided into Pickens County and Oconee County. The following obituary appeared concerning the death of James Ambler (Sr.), father of Adaline: "James Ambler, Sr., citizen of Pickens District, departed this life 26th June, 1849, being over ninety years of age. He was a Virginian by birth, and a graduate of William & Mary's (sic) College, VA. Having a liberal education, he came to Edgefield District, SC and engaged his services as a teacher in private families for some years, he then turned his attention to farming, in which his industrious habits and his fine judgement ensured success. He spent the last 26 years of his life in Pickens District. He retained his consciousness to the hour of dissolution, and had the consolation of seeing all his children around his dying bedside. As a neighbor, friend, father and husband he was kind, social and affectionate; and leaves a wide circle of friends, relatives, and acquaintances to mourn his loss." Source: Keowee Courier, Saturday, July 7, 1849. The obituary of Adaline's brother, James Hagood Ambler, follows that of Adaline Ambler: "Mrs. Adaline Hagood, relict of Benjamin Hagood, died at the residence of her son, J.E. Hagood in this place on Monday last. She was 70 years old and was interred in the family burying ground five miles north of this place." Source: "Pickens Sentinel" Thursday 24 October 1877 Obituary of James Hagood Ambler, brother of Adaline: "ONE OF PICKENS' OLDEST AND BEST CITIZENS PASSES AWAY." Just at the very threshold of his ninetieth birthday, when the work of a busy and successful life had ended and he was resting and waiting at the home of his Daughter, Mrs. Emma A. Gilreath, at Pickens Court House, Major JamesHagood Ambler, one of the oldest and best citizens of that county, died yesterday morning at 1 o'clock. The funeral services will take place at the residence today at noon, conducted by the Rev. J.C. Matheson, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and the interment will follow at the Hagood-Ambler burial ground at 2 p.m. about six miles north of Pickens. A large number of relatives survive, among them being a sister, Mrs. Anne Griffin, who is in her ninety-fifth year. She is probably the oldest person in the county and is known as the "Mother of Pickens". Mrs. Ambler, who was Miss Zeely Cox of this county, also survives. The following sons and daughters survive: James L. Orr Ambler, Pickens; Robert Ambler of the city, Mrs. Emma Ambler Gilreath of Pickens; William H. Ambler, Greenville, and Mrs. Sunie Dickern of Birmingham, Ala. Mrs. Matthew Breazeale of Belton, who died several months ago, was the youngest daughter of Major and Mrs. Ambler. William Ambler Gilreath of this city is grandson. Major Ambler was one of the last of the 'old Romans.' He represented Pickens district in the Legislature from 1854 to 1858 and served on a commission which laid out the present town of Pickens. He was a member of Orr's Regiment during the Civil War and was in Charleston during part of the siege. Few men have been more respected and admired than Major Ambler. He was a manly man and above reproach. There was nothing small or little or mean in his heart. He was always cheerful, and even toward the last when he felt his health and strength failing because of his advanced age; he delighted in the society of young people and would entertain them for hours with bits of history and incidents connected with the earlier part of his life. Major Ambler was a son of James Ambler of Virginia, who immigrated to upper South Carolina early in the nineteenth century, and his mother was Miss Susan Hagood of Edgefield. The Ambler home in Pickens county is situated under the shadow of the Blue Ridge mountains, in sight of......." (ARTICLE IS CUT OFF AT THIS POINT-probably from a Greenville, SC, or maybe Anderson newspaper) From a different obituary newspaper clipping, paper not named: MAJOR JAMES H. AMBLER, OF PICKENS, BORDERING ON NINETY-ONE, GENTLEMAN OF THE OLD SCHOOL PASSES AWAY, WAS A GALLANT CONFEDERATE SOLDIER, DESCENDANT OF VIRGINIA FAMILY. Maj. James Hagood Ambler, well and favorably known, not only to the people of this and adjoining counties, but the state as well and even beyond the confines of this state, died last Saturday morning, the 4th, just at the turn of the day from an acute attack of grip at the home of his daughter................He was born on the 11th of March 1805. His father was James Ambler of Jamestown, Va., who settled in this state and married Susan Hagood of Edgefield district. When he was ten years old his father moved to this part of the state and settled the place at which the deceased lived until his death. This home was always an 'open house', being, in the days of the stage coach, a regular stopping place for low country people on their way to Table Rock and Caesar's Head........................................Truly a good man has gone to his reward." NOTE FROM JAMES AMBLER SR. TO HIS SON, JAMES HAGOOD AMBLER: Pickens District "Know all men by these presents that I James Ambler of the said State and District for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which I have and bear towards my son James H. Ambler and also in consideration of the sum of Five Dollars to me paid by the said James H. Ambler, have given granted bargained sold and released, and by these presents do hereby give grant bargain sell and release unto the said James H. Ambler all the stock of Horses, Cattle and Hogs, and also all the Household and Kitchen Furniture Plantation utensils and other personal property of which I am possessed at the time he came to live with me about four or 5 years ago, and of which he then took possession and control. To have and to hold all the said property to the said James H. Ambler his heirs executors and Administrators forever. Witness my hand and seal this the 5th day of March 1849. His James ( X ) Ambler (LS) seal Executed in the presence of S.D. Keith Joseph Masingill State of South Carolina Pickens District JAMES AMBLER SR., father of Adaline Ambler: ESTATE OF JAMES AMBLER BOX 30 NO. 350 PROBATE JUDGES OFFICE, PICKENS, S.C. Estate administrated January 31, 1853 by Benjamin Hagood, W.D. Steele who are bound unto W.J. Parsons Ordinary of Pickens District in the sum of $2,000.00. Charlotte Ambler (Burdine) News Clipping: "Mrs. Charlotte Burdine,(sister of Adaline Ambler)who has been very ill at the residence of her son-in-law Mr. Theo Smith near Brushy Creek, is still very low. Mrs. Emma Smith a granddaughter is also very ill at Duncan Station." Source: "Pickens Sentinel", Thursday 21 May 1891 Obituary: Mrs. Charlotte Burdine, widow of the late Rev. John Burdine, died at the home of her son-in-law Mr. Theo Smith in Brushy Creek Twp., Anderson, Co. last Saturday at the age of 85 years and 6 months. Mrs. Burdine was a sister of Mrs. Ann Griffin of this place and Major Ambler of the county. She leaves five children: Mrs. J.B. Newberry of this place, Mrs. A.M. Folger of Easley, Mrs. Theo Smith of Brushy Creek, Mrs. Pickens of Greenville and Mr. Columbus Burdine of Liberty Township. Funeral held in Pickens Chapel graveyard. Source: News clipping, newspaper unnamed Obituary of Ann Ambler (Griffin), wife of Elihu H. Griffin, sister of Adaline Ambler (Hagood) & Charlotte Ambler (Burdine): The house on Ann St. was Griffin's farm house and the local militia used to meet and drill on this property. Ann Ambler's obituary in 1906 states that she died in her home where she had resided since the town was laid out. She was 96 years old at her death. ("Ann St." is in Pickens, Pickens Co., SC) James Hagood Ambler, brother of Adaline Ambler (Hagood) and his nephew, J.E. Hagood, son of Adaline Ambler and Benjamin Hagood, were both commissioners who were assigned to locate the new site of the town of Pickens, SC, and dealt with Elihu H. Griffin, husband of Ann Ambler, for the land for the new town. In 1868 Benjamin Hagood was deceased but was survived by his wife, Adaline & 5 children. (Editor's Note: "New town" refers to Pickens, Pickens Co., SC) A runaway slave by the name of "Jordan" was listed in the Pendleton/Anderson District Magistrates and Freeholders Court Records as belonging to "James Ambler". The slave was found guilty on February 21, 1827. James Ambler is said to have come to this area from Jamestown, Virginia. One source says that he was originally from Scotland, but I have not been able to confirm either statement. He was said to have attended William and Mary College, but again, this cannot be confirmed. His name did not appear in the Provisional List, which lists graduates from William and Mary from the beginning of the school. However, there is a mention that he married Susan Hagood of Edgefield, so at some point he moved to the Edgefield area of South Carolina. All four of his children were born there. In 1825(I believe it may have been the year before in 1824 - Gary Hagood Brightwell ) they moved to the Pickens District. Their home was built near Hagood Mill and they kept an open house for visitors. The house is in disrepair, but still stands behind a thick stand of pine trees not far from the intersection of Midway Road and Highway 178. James and Susan had four children: Charlotte in 1806, Adaline in 1808, Ann in 1810, and James Hagood in 1815. Charlotte married John Burdine; Adaline married Benjamin Hagood; Ann married Elihu Griffin; and James H. married Zealy Ann Cox. They may have had another child sometime between 1825-1830 because a male child between the years of 1-5 was listed as living in the house on the 1830 US Census. The child is not listed in the 1840 Census, so must have died before then. James and Susan lived together in Pickens County until her death in December 1845. At that time he was unable to care for himself and moved in with his son, James H. He died on June 26, 1849 and is interred in the Hagood family cemetery. Source: Ambler Elementary School Class Project, Pickens, SC. Presentation by teacher Janet Hardin, 2004 Article Submitted by Richard M. Painter Jr. of Central, SC SUSANNAH HAGOOD (PAINTER) - Sister of Benjamin Hagood February 17, 1791 - September 25, 1884 Susannah Hagood was the daughter of James Hagood and Martha West. James Hagood and his family had apparently migrated from North Carolina to South Carolina's Edgefield District during the late 1770 - 1780's time frame. Around 1790 they relocated to the Pendleton District of Up Country South Carolina. James and family located near present day Pickens, SC. Susannah was born in February 1791. Not much information is known about Susannah's early life. It can be assumed that she performed many chores as a young girl and woman to help support the family while her father began to acquire land and make a home for his growing family. The first information I have been able to document about Susannah was found in Hall County, Georgia. It is recorded that a Susan "Haywood" married Ezekiel "Panter" in September 17, 1826. I believe this to be Susannah Hagood and Ezekiel Painter. Apparently, James Hagood and his wife Martha West had decided to relocate once again to northeast Georgia's Hall County (Gainesville, GA, County Seat) about 100 miles from Pickens. It appears that several of his children had also decided to move west. Osbourn Hagood's name appears on several land transactions as well as that of John Hightower, husband of Rebecca Hagood, older sister of Susannah, in the Hall County records. The name Ezekiel Painter appears in the 1830 census of Hall County, GA, and while the names of spouses and children are not given, they are accounted for by sex, and in an age range. My Great Great Grandfather, son of Ezekiel Painter & Susannah Hagood, Tandy Hightower Painter, is listed in a book of records of poor children who attended the local schools in Hall County in 1834. His age is given as 7 years old, which if correct would have him being born around 1827. His death certificate gives his birth date as February 22, 1827. There are two older boys, David and Joel Painter, also listed. By comparing the number of children listed in the 1830 Census, this fits. It is my theory that Susannah may have married Ezekiel when he was a widower with small children still in the home. I have not been able to find any record of a previous marriage for Susannah, and this would make her age about 34 to 35 when she married Ezekiel. I haven't been able to completely verify much information on Ezekiel Painter, but it appears he may have been born in Southwestern Virginia around 1776. His family probably migrated into Tennessee in the early 1800's. Tandy listed his father's birthplace as Tennessee. If this is indeed the correct information, it appears that Ezekiel was approximately 50 years old when he married Susannah. I find it interesting that Tandy Painter, the first son of Ezekiel and Susannah, had the middle name of "Hightower". I believe that he was given this name in honor of John Hightower, his Uncle by marriage to Rebecca. Later information leads me to believe that Susannah and Rebecca were very close sisters, and spent much of their lives near each other. In the will of James Hagood, Susannah Hagood (Painter)'s father, dated in 1828, we find some interesting information. It appears that James wasn't very fond of Ezekiel's financial abilities. He states that of any portion of his estate that his companion, presumed to be Martha West, chooses to give to Susannah, none of it is to go to pay the debts of Ezekiel Painter! The will was apparently drawn up by Benjamin Hagood, brother to Susannah and Rebecca, and James Hagood, who are mentioned as beneficiaries of this will. James had apparently provided for his other heirs prior to this will being produced. Ezekiel and Susannah's marriage produced three other children in addition to Tandy Hightower Painter, sons James and John A., and a daughter, Martha Amanda Painter. Ezekiel and his family disappear from any Federal census after 1830 that I have been able to find. They next appear again in the 1850 census of Greenville County, South Carolina. Susan Painter is listed as Head of the house, at age 59 or 60, which would be correct with a listed birthday of 1791! Tandy Hightower Painter is listed, as well as the other children, but no mention of Ezekiel. They are listed in Dwelling 319. Dwelling 318 listed the Willis Barton family, with the wife named as Rebecca. We have learned that John Hightower, died in Greenville County, in 1836. Rebecca Hagood Hightower married Willis Barton as we learned from the last Hagood Newsletter. Susan is again listed in the 1860 Census of Greenville, South Carolina. This time she is living with Martha Amanda Painter Allen, her daughter. She is now 69 years old! Her son, Tandy, is in the next dwelling, and has married and has at least two children. Martha Amanda Allen is a widow! Her husband has died. I have learned from a descendent of Martha Amanda Painter Allen, Scarlet Eddings, that in late 1860 Susan Painter sells her land in Greenville County, SC to a John Gosnell, and once again, disappears from history. Her son, John A. Painter, is listed on the 1860 Census in the household of Dr. Zachariah Haygood, his mother's brother, in Pinson, Jefferson County, Alabama, as a farm laborer. In the 1870 Census of Pinson, in Jefferson County, Alabama, Susan is now found in her brother, Zachariah's home, at the age of 79! John Painter, her son, married a Sarah Hagood, in 1860, probably a distant cousin. In the 1880 Census of Blount County, Alabama, Susan Painter, age 90 is listed in the household of John and Sarah Painter, along with their daughter, Sudie E. Painter age 14, and I believe, Sarah's father, J---- Haygood, age 80! Our cousin, Scarlet Eddings, a descendent, of Martha Amanda Painter Allen, from Tennessee, sent me a package of several interesting documents, one of which was a copy of the actual hand written will of James Hagood, and a copy of a document that appears to be a Steam Packet ticket, where on the back someone had written some valuable family information. I believe it to be the writing of Martha Amanda Painter, where she recorded information about the births and deaths of family members including her husband, and a child, and on the bottom, barely legible, are these words, Susan Painter born February 25, 1791, died, September 6, 1884, age 93 years 6 months, and 7 days! She wrote "Save this, this is old. Grandma." What a lifetime! I can't begin to imagine the adventures this dear lady and this Hagood family experienced. I also was touched by the fact that the Hagood family kept in touch and looked out for each other through the years. I am very humbled and thankful to Cousin Gary and others who have helped me to re- establish the connection to my Hagood relatives and to learn of my dear Great Great Great Grandmother Susannah Hagood Painter, daughter of James and Martha, and Sister to Benjamin and all the others! Richard M. Painter Central, SC December 4, 2004.