Special Collections:  Letters from the Draper Manuscripts; Sumpter Papers

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State Historical Society of Wisconsin 
Draper Manuscripts
Sumpter Papers
Series VV Vol.3-4
LDS Family History Center-Microfilm # 0889214


MSS Vol.3-4

p.6

Craven County, South Carolina
James DAVIS Came this day before me one of his Majestys Justices of the peace for said county &
being sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, Declare that he saw John CANTY & Margret
CANTY his wife sign seal & deliver this Deed of Sale to Sam'l LITTLE for the ---- purpose here
in mentioned.
Sworn the 23rd April 1774
Before Thos. SUMTER, J.P. 
Jas. DAVIS

P.64
Winnsboro, S.C. Sept. 3, 1874
Dr. Sir,
On my return from a summers trip north, I find this day, yours of 13 Aug., which demands a
reply to the following effect. I shall --- the records of the several parties you refer to
during the week and communicate all the info. I can. Our mutual friend STINSON lives in Chester
Co. My residence is Fairfield Co., & Maj. Joseph KERR (not CARR), lived and died here I have
the old family Bible giving date of birth & death. The records of the Probate Judges office may
give me the info. You desire in relation to all the other parties, most of whom are personally
known to me. I am several years the senior to Col. Jas. RION? Or Dr. Ira S. SCOTT but will
comm. With them at Sight. Will write you again this month.
Yours very -----
Jas. R. AIKEN

p.65

Winnsboro, S.C. 23 Sept. 1874
Dear Sir,
I write you my reply to yours of 13 ult. And promise to write again after making further ----
of certain parties named in your last letter.
I have also had an interview with Col. RION who says, "He has not been able to find out any
thing worth your while."
I can only say from my own personal knowledge that:
Capt. Jno.STARKE lived and died in Fairfield S.C. was considered a noble soldier of the Rev.
Benjamin MAY (the same) died in 1826.
Anamion? LYLES, the terror of the British Soldiers, a man who would have been regarded at the
present Day as a "Scout" or "Guerilla" and who never feared the flash of powder. Many of his
descendants are with in this day among the best people of Carolina-died 1831.
Rheuben HARRISON-Regarded as a Tory-lived and died in this county-degraded and despised.
Jno. MCWATERS-a private under Sumpter (I can hear no more about him)
Major Joseph KERR
(Did not finish rest of letter)
Jas. R. AIKEN

p.67
Dr. Draper writes back with questions-comments that he is surprised Mr. AIKENS account of
Reuben HARRISON, from others this is not correct.

p.68
Winnsboro, S.C. Oct. 22, 1874

Dear Sir,
 Since the receipt of yours of 1st. I have made every inquiry in relation to the several
inquiries in your letter but without any ----- whatever, except to say:
That Capt. MILLING- (John MILLING) died in this county in 1836.
That Maj. KERR was wounded in pursuit of British Cavalry and brought to Winnsboro, in a
skirmish after Cornwallis.
That Rheuben HARRISON is the identical man who lived 12 miles East of Winnsboro, & to my own
knowledge had a bad reputation, until the day of his death. His grand children to this day are
no better.
Capt. STARKE, died poor, and left no public record that I can either trace up or hear of.
Arimanus LYLES, and all He knows is that his Uncle died in this county with small pox.
The relatives of Ben MAY removed West in 1825. 
There was two Capt. MILLINGS, Jno. & Hugh. Both in the Rev. War. Should I hear anything more at
any time will take pleasure in writing you.
Resp. Yours
Jas. R. AIKEN