Family
History
by
John Gotea Pressley
Born 24 May 1833, South Carolina
The
following family history was written by J. G. Pressley and signed
February 7, 1889, for the benefit of his family. He discusses
family members who fought for the King in the Revolutionary War, and
after much discussion of family members he discusses life on his family
plantation, etc. He closes by mentioning a “Vol. 2” which
discusses himself and his own family further, but it is not known
whether this Volume 2 even exists. J.G. Pressley died is 1895.
Maybe Volume 2 was never written or never finished.
This
transcription of J.G. Pressley's Family History was donated to the
Clarendon County SCGenWeb site by John Phillips.
Family History
Containing
these names:
Pressley,
Brockinton, Fowler, Gotea, Scriven, Burrows, Nesmith, & others.
The
family
names of my ancestors, so far as I have heard from my parents and two
grandmothers, Mary B. Pressley and Elizabeth Gotea (both grandfathers
died
before my birth) are Brockinton, Scriven, Fowler, Orr, Barnes, Scott,
Gotea,
and Pressley.
Pressley:
I
do not know
from what part of Europe the family came, John Pressley the father of
my
father: John B. Pressley, died when his children were quite young, and
they got
from him very little of the family history.
John
Brockinton Jr.
(1754-1801),
the father of my grandmother, Mary Barr B. Pressley
(1783-1849),
died leaving his children minors of tender years. The same maybe said
of John
Gotea, my grandfather on my mother’s side. These facts will account for
the
paucity as to incidents, names, etc. in the history which I am about to
write.
From
the
position which the Brockinton, Scriven, and Fowler families held in
South
Carolina before and during the Revolutionary War, I think it would be
safe to
say that they came from England and belonged to the better class of
people of
that country.
John
Brockinton Sr.
(1722-1795), is
the first of whom I can give any account. I have as old agreement for a
marriage
settlement made on the twenty-first day of April A.D. 1773 by and
between John
Brockinton Sr. and Benjamin Scriven, as Trustees, and John Brockinton
Jr. and
Martha Fowler, who were about to be married. Scriven did not sign,
however.
(Martha Scriven Fowler (1757-1825) daughter of James Fowler and
Elizabeth
Scriven)
I
am unable to
say how the Brockintons derive their descent from the Scrivens, but I
know
descent from that family has always been claimed by them. The name has
been
perpetuated in the family as a given name, I think that the wife of
John
Brockinton Sr. was a Scriven, and this Benjamin Scriven the trustee was
probably her brother, and possibly her grandfather on her mother’s
side.
(Benjamin
Scriven was the brother of Elizabeth Scriven who m. James Fowler
parents of
Martha)
John
Brockinton
Sr. and his wife had a son, John Brockinton Jr. who is one of the
parties to
the marriage articles. They may have had other children, but I have no
means
now of ascertaining, and do not remember of having heard of any others.
I am
not able to give any of details of the life of John Brockinton Sr. nor
the date
of his death. He lived on Black River or near that stream, and not far
from the
old town of
Tory
John
Brockinton Jr. married (as it appears from that instrument referred to)
1773
Martha Fowler. He was a very intelligent man, of splendid physique, and
wealthy
for the times. At the beginning of the Revolutionary struggle he
espoused the
cause of the King, as did a majority of the wealthy planters of
The
old Town of
Black Mingo in which he lived was situated on a large navigable Creek
of the
same name, one of the principle tributaries of Black River, On one
occasion he
pursued Marion from Williamsburg (or Craven County as it was then
called) up
into North Carolina, but failed to catch him or make him fight. After
I
have never
heard from my grandmother or any of his grandchildren, or old men of
the
neighborhood who were boys during that war, that Capt. Brockinton
conducted
military operations other than in accordance with the laws of civilized
warfare. The great confidence shown in him by his neighbors after the
war is
the best proof that he was a brave soldier and conscientious man. There
was,
during the Revolutionary struggle, bitter animosity between the
loyalists and
whigs, and no doubt, as the case is in every civil war, there were acts
of
violence and lawlessness on both sides. None can be established as
having been
practiced by authority of Captain Brockinton, I believe.
The
Captain had
the courage of his convictions, and never surrendered, as did many of
the
loyalists. After the war when the legislature of
Capt.
John Brockinton
was urged by his fellow citizens after the war to consent to serve them
in the
Legislature, but he declined, feeling, probably that those who had
gained their
independence against his opposition should govern themselves without
the
assistance of their former enemies. I have heard of but one
manifestation of
bad spirit after the war was over on the part of Capt. Brockinton. That
was
directed against two ex-Captains of
When
an
uprising of the people succeeds it is a glorious revolution, when it
fails it
is a rebellion. The participants in the former case are "patriots";
in the latter "rebels". Had the cause of the Colonies failed Capt.
Brockinton’s name would have gone into history as a distinguished
patriot and
soldier. How unjust to the conscientious man that righteousness of his
cause,
and with the narrow minded, his honesty and patriotism must be proved
by
success; risking fortune, family and life in maintaining political
opinions and
principles is the highest proof a man can give of his honesty and
patriotism.
After
the death
of her husband Martha Brockinton left Black Mingo, and settled near
Dickey’s
Bay, waters of Turkey Creek, Williamsburg District. There she lived the
remainder of her life. Her son, William Brockinton, lived with her and
managed
her small plantation; at the same time taking care of the large estate
of
William Burrows (his brother-in-law) of which he was the executor, and
Guardian
of his nephew, the son and only child of his brother-in-law and his
sister.
The
place where
Mrs. Brockinton lived was known within my recollection as Brockinton’s
Old
Field. The houses were all gone before my day. The title to the land
passed by
conveyance after Mrs. Brockinton’s death to the Gamble family, and is
still in
them.
John
Brockinton
Jr. and Martha Fowler Brockinton his wife had children born to them:
There
may have
been other children, but I do not remember hearing of them.
I
will begin my
account of these children with the last named.
William
Brockinton married a very handsome and intelligent woman. Her maiden
name was
Eliza or Elizabeth Dollar. I knew her as "Aunt Eliza". When she
married Brockinton she was a widow and her name was Robinson.
William
Brockinton and Eliza Dollar Robinson Brockinton, his wife had children
born to
them:
John
Fowler
Brockinton was a physician. He lived in
John
Fowler
Brockinton (1833-1893) married Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Joseph
Scott and
Mary Mathews, a citizen of
Matilda
Brockinton died a minor and unmarried. I remember her as an interesting
young
lady. (1824-1837)
William
Robinson Brockinton (1828-1885) was one of my deepest relatives. He was
a man of
most exemplary character. I found him installed in the office of Clerk
of Court
of Common Pleas and General Sessions, in February, 1854, when I
commenced the
practice of law. I have heard Honorable Henry McIver, (for years
Solicitor of
the Eastern Circuit and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of S.C.)
say
that William R. Brockinton was the best Clerk in that Circuit, which
was then
composed of the Districts (now Counties) of Chesterfield, Marlborough,
Darlington, Horry, Marion, Georgetown, and Williamsburg. He continued
to fill
with unquestioned fidelity and ability the office clerk till I left the
State
to come to
And
I think
some others who were quite young when I left S.C. or have been born
since. I do
not remember the number of their names.
Allean
Brockinton married Herbert Cunningham, a son of Alexander Cunningham,
who
married Ann Gregg, and who through my grandmother Gotea, was a distant
relative.
Herbert
Cunningham and Allean Brockinton Cunningham his wife, had children to
them. I
do not know their names. They (Herbert and Allean) send me photographs
of their
twin daughters. I visited and dined with them in 1885. They lived on
the road
leading from Kingstree to
Scriven
Brockinton has another given name, but I do not remember it. He was a
very
promising Presbyterian preacher. He married a lady in
Thomas
Day
Brockinton is a farmer and lives near his father’s place. He is
married, but I
do not know to whom.
Warren
Brockinton is a physician and was in Beaufort when I heard from him
last.
Martha
Brockinton married Warren Muldrow of Sumter District. They lived in
S.C. about
a mile and a half from the church known as the "
Warren
Muldrow
is dead, his widow still lives, and has sons and daughters. I have seen
two of
the sons, but do not remember their names. One of them while a soldier
in the Confederate
Army was shot through the body, the ball passing among his intestines
without
cutting or penetrating one of them. A soldier perhaps never escaped
death after
so remarkable a wound.
James
Scriven
Brockinton (1830-1892) is a physician, living and practicing at
James
Scriven
Brockinton and Virginia Singleton Brockinton his wife, had children
born to
them:
I
am not sure
that there are not others.
Lou
Brockinton
married Thomas M. Gilland, a promising young lawyer who has been
Solicitor of
the Circuit in which
Moll
Brockinton
married ?? a Methodist preacher. They have children, but I did not meet
them in
1885, and know nothing to write of the family.
Wilmot
D.
Brockinton was a promising physician after I left S.C. The thread of
his
existence was cut by an over-ruling
Jack
Brockinton
was in business with his father in a drug store in 1885. I have heard
he has
become a physician since that time. He is a fine looking young man.
Marian
Estel
Brockinton, a very handsome young lady. At home with her parents in
1885.
Burrows
Pressley Brockinton, (1832-????) was the youngest child of his parents,
William
and Eliza Brockinton. He was an unassuming, honest, brave,
conscientious, noble
fellow. He was a private in the Wee Nee Volunteers in Gregg’s Regiment.
Upon
the re-organization of the company for service in Hagood’s Regiment he
was
elected Orderly Sergeant. A more efficient officer and agreeable friend
and
associate I could not have had. When in camp he shared my tent, and
when in
barracks (as we were at
Upon
the 3rd
re-organization of the Wee Nee Vols., preparatory to the formation of
the Eutaw
Battalion (which afterwards became the 25th S.C. Vols.)
Burrows P.
Brockinton was elected 2nd Lt., was as faithful as a
commissioned as
he had been as a non-com. officer. Before the accident which rendered
him unfit
for further active field service he was, while the Regiment was
encamped at
Secessionville, in 1862 on one occasion sent out on a reconnaissance in
command
of a small detachment. He encountered the enemy and drove them to their
gun
boats.
While
the
Regiment was encamped on Elliot’s Cut on
The
ancestral
lands and house on
Burrows
Pressley Brockinton married first a Miss Maria Burgess, and after her
death a
Miss Emma Bagnell married Dec. 1857 (Williamsburg Presbyterian Church
records)
then to a third wife, Edwina Bagnell, There were children born to him
and those
ladies, but I know the name of but one (the other were either very
young when I
left S.C. or have been born since).
Samuel
Peter
Brockinton, I was told in 1885 that he was a very successful merchant.
I met
him and his wife that year, but I do not remember what the name if his
wife is,
nor what her maiden name was.
The
descendants
of William Brockinton were Presbyterians, and all four of his sons and
their
wives and daughter were, and living are consistent members of that
church. I am
unable to say how many of their children are communicants. Aunt Eliza
was a
sincere follower of the Master.
I
now come to
another son of Capt. John Brockinton Jr., namely John Brockinton. In
his
younger days he was inclined to be rather dissipated. Being the first
son of
his father, the old Cavalier was very proud of him, and his indulgence,
as I
have heard my Grandmother, his sister, say, made a spoilt boy of him.
However,
John Brockinton, after "Sowing his wild oats", reformed, and before
his death became a consistent member of the
His
property consisted
of principally of cattle, of which he had a fine herd. Some of my
fathers
ranged with his, and I used to think the annual gathering in the Spring
companied my father. We spent the night at "Uncle Johnnie’s" every
year, and the next day went to what Californians would call a
"rodeo". All of the cattle were driven to the Big Savanna (a small
prairie
about three miles in circumference) and each stock owner separated his
cattle
from the large herd, which had been collected from every part of the
range by
the neighbors who gathered from every direction on these occasions. He
married
Miss Sarah Nesmith. We called her "Aunt Sally", and I remember her as
one of the prettiest old ladies whom I have ever seen. John Brockinton
and his
wife Sarah had children born to them:
I
can not name
them in the order of their ages. John Brockinton married Mary Salina
Green and
had a large family of children. He lived near his father’s and was
designated
as "Young John Brockinton". In 1839 he taught a school within a few
hundred yards of my father’s house. He was my first teacher. My sister,
Mary,
and I went to his school. We first stayed at my grandmothers, but in
1839 my
father settled on the place where most of my boyhood was spent, near
Turkey
Creek (waters of Black Mingo Creek) and built his house near
Brockintons school
house, which was on father’s land. My sister and I thereafter went to
that
school from home. I knew A B C D and E when I commenced school, and
made very
satisfactory progress under the tuition of John Brockinton.
I
am not able
to state the names of the children of John and Salina Brockinton not
their
number. Both he and his wife are dead.
Samuel
Brockinton, I have no recollection of ever having seen. I am not sure
who he
married, but think her name was Arnet. He emigrated to
Sarah
Brockinton, married a man named Jacks, They lived in
Benjamin
M.
Nesmith and Sarah Brockinton, his wife, are both dead. Benjamin was
overseer on
my mother’s plantation after my father’s death in 1863 till 1865.
Mary
Brockinton
married George Hanna. They lived on
The
father of
these children said that he would rear them without correction. Samuel
showed
the fruits of such want of control, and had
Samuel
Hanna
married a lady whose name I can not recall. His marriage brought
unhappiness to
his wife. He died in 1866. (George Hanna son of Hugh Hanna)
James
F.
Brockinton was a school fellow of mine. I never met his wife and do not
know
her name. He is dead. He left several children, none of whom I have
met. Have
had come correspondence with one of his sons who was anxious to come to
(It
looks like
he may have been married to Mary Eliz King)
William
Scriven
Brockinton was also a school mate, as was also Ausy Nesmith, his wife.
He was a
private soldier in Co. F, 25th S.C. Vols. He is now the
owner of the
old
William
Scriven
Brockinton and Auzy Brockinton, his wife, had children born to them. I
do not
know their names, nor the number. I saw three of them in 1885.
Benjamin
Franklin Brockinton was an affectionate relative and good client of
mine. He
lived in such as "out of the way place" not very far from his
father’s old plantation, that I never visited his house, never found a
convenient opportunity. I had settled in Kingstree before he had a
house of his
own. He married a widow, a Mrs. Munnerlyn whom I did not know. Benjamin
Franklin Brockinton and his wife had children, I do not know their
names and
numbers. (Think his wife was Martha Greer Hamblin)
I
can not say
whether John Brockinton and Samuel Brockinton were Christian men, but
all of
the rest of the children of John and Sarah Brockinton were members of
the
We
come now to
a daughter of Captain John Brockinton Jr., I do not know her name but
think it
was Elizabeth Scriven Brockinton, She married a Burrows, whose name I
believe
was William. He was a member of the Legislature of S.C. and represented
Williamsburg District. I have heard very little about him. He was a
rich man.
His plantation was on Turkey Creek. He died in
Martha
Brockinton, like most people of her day, was a little superstitious.
The old
lady believed in signs and warnings. On one occasion her son, William,
went to
Dickey’s Bay hunting wild turkeys which were always numerous in S.C. He
left
his horse at the edge of the bay and went in hoping to "roost" the
turkeys. He came out after dark and mounted his horse for home, but had
not
proceeded far when his horse stopped short. Brockinton’s story is that
he saw
by the bridle path, which he was traveling, what appeared to be a
coffin with a
white sheet placed over it. (It was that and up to my time in that
country
customary to put a sheet over the receptacle of the dead.) He
determined to
investigate and ascertain what this apparition was, but his horse
refused to go
nearer; he urged and kept urging his steed till a half circle was made,
and he
found himself on the home side of this strange object, when having
become
nearly as nervous as the horse, he gave up his efforts at discovery and
proceeded on his way home. The next morning he returned for further
investigation, found the semi-circular trail of the horse, but no
impression
that there had been any object on the grass at the center. There had
been no
impression made on the grass at that point. Upon giving his mother an
account
of his adventure of the night, the old lady replied, "Oh, William, some
dreadful calamity is about to happen in our family". The next mail
brought
information of the death in Columbia of Burrows, her son-in-law. The
occurrence
did not lessen the good old lady’s belief in signs and wonders.
Elizabeth
Scriven Burrows (1784-1813) and William Burrows, Senior, had born to
them one
son: William Burrows Jr. The death of his father left William an orphan
of
tender years. He was born about the year 1810, and was near the age of
my
father. He was taken by his grandmother, but upon her death went to
live with
Mary B. Pressley, my grandmother. She brought him up as one of her own
sons. He
ever cherished for her the affection of a son for a mother. His love
for my
father was, I believe, the full of that which one brother has for
another. His
large property was well managed by his uncle William Brockinton. Upon
his
coming of age his Guardian turned over to him a princely domain,
hundreds of
Negroes, and a large sum of ready money. I think I have heard the
amount of the
ready cash stated to be $40,000., which in those times was of itself a
fortune.
Notwithstanding the careful training by my grandmother, when young
Burrowsgot
his large estate in to his hands he entered upon a career of wild
extravagance,
and did not reform till the last dollar of his cash was gone. He did
not,
however, encumber his land, or part with his slaves, but suddenly
reformed, and
became a man of exemplary conduct, and after a most happy marriage a
devout
Christian, and consistent member of the Episcopal Church. He never
ceased to
love my father, and while the associate of his boyhood was in rather
slender
circumstances, he remembered his valuable and appreciated service. Upon
the
death of an uncle, George Burrows, he came in to the ownership of
another fine
estate, and presented my father with a fine tract of several hundred
acres of
land, a part of that estate. The tract was known as the Boggy Gully
land, and
is now owned by Col. James McCutchen to whom my father’s heirs sold it
since we
have been
I
can not close
this sketch of William Burrows without mentioning his kindness to me.
In 1855
when I built my house in Kingstree, he pressed on me the services of
his two
Negro carpenters for one year and his plasterer and brick mason as long
as I
had use for him in building my house.
When
a boy, he
made me little presents such as a boy would like, and after I commenced
to
practice law he refused to allow me to attend to his business unless I
would
promise, when he brought me something to do, to charge him just as if
he was a
stranger. I felt some disappointment that he would not allow me to
return some
of his many acts of kindness. Then coming to
William
Burrows
was emphatically the poor man’s friend. No needy man left his door
empty
handed. I know one family (Norths) that he entirely maintained,
furnishing them
with food and shelter, expecting and receiving no other return than to
see at
last three of the boys grow up to be useful and respectable.
William
Burrows
(1811-1884) married Julia Flood of Charleston District. In the latter
years of
his life he sold his plantation in Williamsburg District, and lived in
a fine
place near Bradford Springs in
Elizabeth
Scriven Burrows married Alexander Colclough. He is dead. She still
lives on her
place near Bradford Springs. I saw her last 1865. I thought he then one
of the
handsomest women that I ever saw. Elizabeth and Alexander Colcough had
born to
them one son. I believe he is named for his father.
Mary
Stanyard
Burrows married a Mr. Gilliard. She is dead, leaving no children.
Edward
Flood
Burrows lives near Bradford Springs in
I
now come
nearer to my own family, and take up for a few observations my own
grandmother,
Mary Barr Brockinton (1783-1849), Why she was given that name of
"Barr", I do not know. There was a family of that name in
When
I have
traced the descent of her husband John Pressley, my grandfather, I will
mention
her children.
The
maiden name
of my grandmother on my mother’s side was Elizabeth Scott born the 6th
day of May 1790. I do not know of her mother’s maiden nor given sir
name, nor
do I know her fathers given name. He died and his widow my great
grandmother
married a Mr. McConnell (James) whose name I regret my inability to
state. My
grandmother married John Gotea who was my grandfather on my mother’s
side. My
grandmother was left a widow with two children, Sarah my mother and
Margaret
Jane my aunt. Grandma lived on the road leading from Kingstree via
Black Mingo
to
He
took up his
residence with his mother-in-law, and with his Negroes and those of my
grandmother and her two daughters, carried on the farm for their joint
benefits
till the summer of 1839, when he moved to Turkey Creek and joined
forces with
his own mother.
After
the death
of my grandfather (and perhaps before) my grandmother opened her house
as a
way-side inn. Being about half way between
Several
of her
ribs were broken and probably the head of the femur. It was some time
before
she could be brought home, and then in a bed suspended from the sides
of a
wagon body. The bones refused to knit. She was never on her feet again,
and
died after weeks of suffering. She was a consistent member if the
Janet
Mconnell
married John Dick. They lived on
1.Robert
Dick
2.Eliza
Dick
Robert
Dick
married Miss Margaret McCutchen a daughter of Hugh McCutchen and his
first
wife. She died a few years after her marriage. Children were born to
them but
died in childhood shortly after the death of their mother. Robert still
lives a
widower, esteemed and respected by all who knew him, and much loved by
his
relatives. After the death of his wife and children he returned to his
father’s
house, and after the death of Uncle John, farmed with his mother and
sister. He
was living at the old homestead when I went to school from there, and I
found
him occupying it in 1885. He and his mother and sister were noted for
their
tender regard for each other. Like almost all
Eliza
Dick
married James Fowler Pressley, the youngest son of my grandfather, John
Pressley, and his wife Mary B. Pressley. He lived a very short time
after their
marriage. She had a daughter born after the death of her father, who
will be
mentioned when I come to my uncle, James F. Pressley.
Aunt
Eliza was
a lady lovely both in person and disposition. She died about the year
1883. The
whole Dick family were Christian people and members of the Indiantown
(Presbyterian) Church.
George
McConnell, I am unable to say who he married. He died before my
recollection.
His children were:
All
of these I
know. I have never heard that there were others who died before my time.
Thomas
McConnell was known as "Young Tom McConnell" to distinguish him from
an uncle of his and from a cousin both of the same name. The Uncle who
will
presently be mentioned was known as "Old Tom" and the cousin, who
will also be mentioned, was known as "Big Tom".
Young
Tomas
McConnell lived on
Both
of these
boys are living. Their parents are both dead.
William
McConnell son of George, married Laura Blakely. He lived near China
Grove,
Williamsburg District. He and his wife had a large family of children,
but I
saw so little of them that I do not know their names or number. I liked
him and
saw him often when we were boys. He was inclined to be a little wild
when he
first grew up, but soon became very steady and correct in his habits.
He died after
I left S.C. I saw her in 1885. They were Christian people.
Eliza
McConnell, daughter of George, married John B. Miller. They lived on
Margaret
McConnell, daughter of George, married Eliphalet H. Miller. As devisee
of her
uncle, Thomas McConnell, she came into the ownership and possession of
a large
estate consisting of money, Negroes, and land. After the death of her
parents,
her uncle, who was then a widower, took charge of her and her sister,
Eliza. He
remembered them both in his will but Margaret was mad heiress. The will
provided that Margaret should forfeit the estate left to her if she
married any
man whose name commenced with the letter "C". Her uncle had in his
mind a young man of the neighborhood named "Chambers" to whom he had
conceived for some reason which I have never heard, an aversion. She
could
hardly have done worse than when she married Miller.
He
was a
complete failure as a business man, extravagant and thriftless. To be
raised
suddenly from humble circumstances to wealth was more than he could
stand. He
was, however, a popular man, and for many years
Represented
Williamsburg District in the Senate of the State Legislature. His love
of
politics had much to do with his financial ruin. His wife was a woman
of sweet
temper and affectionate disposition. Miller and his wife
And
children
owned and occupied the old McConnell homestead, on the
There
may have
been others.
Thomas
M.
Miller, and Julius Miller were worthy young men. Margaret their mother,
gave
character and disposition to all of her children. Both of these young
men were
soldiers in the Confederate army, and were
"good
and
true". They are both dead.
Louisa
Miller,
daughter of Margaret, married Dr. J. J. Steele Jr. her first cousin.
She is
dead and left children.
I
can not say
how many. I did not know any of them. Louisa was an estimable young
lady. She
was an intimate
Friend
of my
sister Margaret J. Pressley
Mary
McConnell,
daughter of George, after the death of her parents, came to live with
my
grandmother, Elizabeth Gotea. She was a member of our family when my
mother and
father lived with Grandma on Cold Water Run at the time of my earliest
recollection, and continued to live with us till her marriage with John
F.D.
Britton. They took up their residence near
My
brother
James was her especial favorite. He was the youngest of us when I first
remember, and Cousin Mary became attached to him as a baby. When Sister
Martha
came James fell to her charge. Her affection for him was reciprocated.
I
remember very well what threat of vengeance the boy made when Britton
took her
away.
Mary’s
life has
not been a happy one. Her husband though kind and affectionate, has
been so
poor a business man that they lost nearly all of their property, and
during the
larger portion of her married life she and her children have almost in
want of
the common necessaries of life. Too free use of alcoholic stimulants
has been
his only vice. He and his wife are both living. They have children, but
I do
not know their names, nor how many of them are alive. Cousin Mary has
always
seemed to me to be nearer than a mother’s first cousin.
Mary
B.
McConnell (1799-1851) daughter of the James McConnell who married the
mother of
Mary
McConnell
and Hugh McCutchen had children born to them:
William
McCutchen (son of Mary) died about the time he was grown, and before
his
father.
Thomas
M.
McCutchen has not been very successful in business. If he success had
been
commensurate with his worth he would have been a very rich man. We were
a great
deal together when boys, and since arriving at manhood we have had many
social
and business transactions. It has been said that, "children will
quarrel".
In
that respect
I claim no superior excellence for myself, but between me and Thomas
McCutchen
there never had come a shadow, nor been unpleasant or unfriendly word.
He was a
Lieutenant of Calvary in the Confederate Army. Saw a great deal of
service, but
escaped without a wound. I visited him in 1885. The old house with
which there
were so many delightful associations in my mind had been burnt. He was
living
with his family in what had been an out-house in his father’s day, it
saddened
my heart when I witnessed that altered condition of every thing on the
place,
compared with his present condition of my relative with that of his
wealthy
parents. The loss of the independence of the Southern Confederacy had
impoverished hundreds of thousands besides my cousin Thomas. He married
Miss
Boone of
James
McCutchen, son of Mary, 1st married Jane Fowler then to
Jennie
Gilland, now living on the West side of Black Mingo near McCottry’s
Lake, is a
man in appearance and character very much like his father. He was a
Confederate
soldier, and from the rank of Lt., rose to be a Major. He has been a
member of
both houses of the S.C. Legislature. When he owned Negroes he was a
very
successful planter, but under the new system he has failed but not for
want of
energy. He is of a very hopeful disposition. This trait has led him
into
hazardous ventures. I made his house "headquarters" when in S.C. in
1885. I could not have been treated better, or more hospitably
entertained.
They have a house full of promising children, a son and a daughter have
been
married since I saw them. I can not state the names, nor the numbers of
his
children.
Sarah
Baxter
McCutchen, daughter of Mary McConnell, married Dr. Joseph A. James, a
descendant of the James family Revolutionary fame. He has left
Janet
McCutchen
daughter of Mary McConnell, married William J.B. Cooper and settled
about two
miles from the old McCutchen homestead. He is dead. His widow has
several fine
looking boys and girls. They are finer looking than their father ever
was.
Emma
McCutchen
daughter of Mary McConnell, married Samuel Cooper, son of George
Cooper, and
they reside on the old Cooper homestead, on
Martha
McCutchen daughter of Mary McConnell, I have seen very little of her
since her
marriage to a Dr. Fraser. They live in
Thomas
McConnell, son of the mother of Elizabeth Scott Gotea and her second
husband,
married Margaret Zuel
(nee
Pressley)
widow of Dr. Zuel and Aunt of my father. He was a wealthy man, I need
not say
more of him thank is mentioned in the sketch of Margaret Miller. Thomas
McConnell and Margaret McConnell (nee Pressley) his wife, had a
daughter Louisa
McConnell who married Samuel V. King and died leaving no children. I do
not
know how long she lived after her marriage. Samuel V. King was somewhat
a literary
man. He was a fast friend of my father. He bequeathed his library to
him. That
accounts for the name of King in our books.
Pressley
Branch
The
ancestors
of the family emigrated from
He
passed
through all changes from Calvinism to Unitarianism. Some of the family
who were
Calvinists were very much offended by his course, and to distinguish
themselves
from him, changed their name from Priestly to Pressley There has been
some
controversy as to how the name was spelled. Some of the family spell it
Pressley
and
others
Pressly. Both sides claim to be right. Relationship is claimed with the
William
Pressley mentioned above married Eleanor Orr. I have heard nothing of
her
ancestry. They lived on the Western side of Black River above what, in
my time
was known as the
As
wife of Boyd
there was born to Eleanor a daughter Sarah Boyd.
I
do not know
whether she survived Boyd or not, but she left her three children
living.
Before her death she selected what was then a beautiful spot under some
large
oak trees, (long since gone) as a burial ground. She is buried there
and her
grave is covered by brick work, very much dilapidated now. This was the
family
burial ground till I left S.C. There repose till the resurrection day,
besides
Eleanor, my grandfather and grandmother Pressley, and all their
children and
grandchildren bearing the name in S.C.
Sarah
Boyd
(daughter of Eleanor) died quite young, never having been married.
Margaret
Pressley, daughter of William and Eleanor, married Dr. Zuel of Black
Mingo.
They were the parents of one daughter Jane. Margaret survived her
husband Zuel,
and became the wife of Thomas McConnell who has been already mentioned.
There
was born to Margaret and Thomas McConnell one daughter, Louisa
McConnell(nee
Pressley) who has been mentioned as the wife of Samuel V. King.
Margaret
McConnell was know as "Aunt Peggy".
Jane
Zuel,
daughter of Dr. Zuel and Margaret , his wife, (nee Pressley) married
Thomas
McConnell , called to distinguish him from the other Thomas McConnells,
Big
Tom. He was a man of considerable means, lived on
Jane
Zuel
McConnell and Thomas McConnell, her husband, had children born to them:
Of
these
William Robert McConnell died unmarried, Elizabeth and Augusta were
never
married, and I think are dead.
John
Thomas
McConnell, son of Jane and Thomas McConnell, married Miss Hext of
Barnwell. Children
were born to them. One of his daughters married a son of Dr. J.J.
Steele, who
is himself a physician. I saw her in 1885. She was touchingly
demonstrative in
her regard. My presence brought to her memory her father to whom she
was very
much attached. I saw some of the other children of John Thomas
McConnell, but
do not now remember their names. His widow and children (except Mrs.
Steele)
were occupying his Mother’s homestead. John Thomas McConnell was a
Confederate
soldier with the rank of Lt. In the 10th S.C. Vols.
He
died since I
have settled in
James
Zuel
McConnell, son of Thomas and Jane McConnell, married a Miss Sessions
and
settled in the Georgetown District. I do not know any of his family. I
believe
he still lives. He and his brother were noted for their brotherly
affection for
each other.
John
Pressley,
son of William Pressley and Eleanor, and Mary Barr Pressley, his wife,
daughter
of Capt. John Brockinton Jr. and Martha, his wife, had born to them:
I
will not take
these up in the order of their ages, but will leave my Father till I
trace the
descent of my Mother.
James
Fowler
Pressley, as I have mentioned, married Eliza Dick (daughter of John
Dick and
Janet Dick his wife). He died before he settled on a place of his own.
He lived
during his short married life with his and his wife’s parents. He was
quite
young when his life was ended. James Fowler Pressley and Eliza
Pressley, his
wife, has a daughter born after the death of her father.
Mary
James
Fowler Pressley, as I have mentioned above of James and Eliza, was a
young
woman lovely in person and character. She was about two years my
junior, and
was a school mate of mine when at the schools taught by Stone and
Laferty. I
saw a great deal of her, both in her Grandfather’s (Dick’s) house, and
at my
own father’s and Grandma Pressley’s. I had the love of a brother for
her. She
went by the name of Fowler. Cousin Fowler was sincerely loved by all of
her
relatives. She married James McCutchen, as I have mentioned, and lived
but a
short time afterwards leaving no children.
Eliza
Pressley
(May 18, 1833) married William Cooper. He was a man of wealth and lived
on his
plantation about three miles above
Eliza
Cooper,
nee Pressley, and William Cooper, her husband, had born to them:
Eliza’s
death
left these children motherless at a very tender age. They were taken
charge of
by Mary B. Pressley, my and their grandmother.
John
Cooper,
son of Eliza and William, died at my grandmother’s on Turkey Creek at a
very
early age of diphtheria, then called by the medical men sore throat
(putrid).
He was a bright good natured boy. His death occurred about 1840 or 1841.
Mary
P. Cooper,
daughter of Eliza and William, having been brought up by grandmother
Pressley,
went to house-keeping for her father. She was bright, intelligent, and
very
good looking. Her father sent her to the most fashionable school for
young
ladies that could be found in
He
succeeded to
his grandfather’s estate, and now lives on the old homestead. He has
inherited
(to some extent I am sorry to say) his father’s extravagance and want
of
capacity for business. I have heard that he has pretty nearly gotten
through
with $20,000 to $40,000 in
William
Cooper
married a Miss Daniels and has a family of children. (Esther A. Daniels
1859)
Martha
Fowler
Pressley, married Samuel Ruffin Mouzon, a widower and son of one of
General
Francis Marion’s Captains. He was a man of intelligence, wealth, and
pleasing
manners and popularity. (I need not say of him and other members of my
family,
that they were hospitable. This trait of character was so common with
"Aunt
Martha" Mouzon was a woman of poor health from my earliest recollection
of
her, and for more that twenty years she was confined to her bed with
dreadful
case of rheumatism. Her hands and limbs were drawn in a most
disposition that
were quite as remarkable and uncommon as her sufferings. She was a
person of
excellent memory (fond of books) and good conversational powers. Her
friends
delighted in her easy and interesting conversation. Her vivacity was
the life
of every fireside circle of which she was a member.
Through
her
generosity I once saw the principal watering places of the South and
Aunt
Martha and
Uncle Sam Mouzon lived at a place called "The Savanna" on the road
from Kingstree to Sumter about six miles from the former town. When I
first
remember them and their family, afterwards they settled on some land
owned by
him on
Family
of which
mention has been made. The place was just twenty eight miles from my
father’s
resident.
To
me and the
rest of my father’s children the event of the year was our Annual visit
to Aunt
Martha’s and Aunt Eliza’s. That my children and grandchildren may
contrast the
methods of that day and this I will just mention the fact that it was
an all
day journey, resting usually a little while in Kingstree, then a
village of
about 300 inhabitants counting Negroes and white people.
Samuel
Ruffin
Mouzon (born Nov. 20, 1775 died May 24, 1842) died about the year 1844
or 45.
his wife Martha P. Mouzon died about 1870 or 71. Martha Fowler Mouzon
(nee
Pressley)and Samuel Ruffin Mouzon
Had
born to
them:
John
Pressley
Mouzon was a school fellow of mine of Turkey Creek. He stayed at
Grandma
Pressley’s and went to Nesmith, Diston, and I think Singletary. He went
in to
service in the Wee Nee Vols. As a private under my command and as
Captain, and
afterwards went in to the
Dunkin
King
Mouzon was named for his father’s friend, Chancellor B. F. Dunkin (one
of
S.C.’s greatest lawyers) and Samuel V. King. He was a Confederate
soldier. He
commenced in the Wee Nee Vols. And ended in the Cavalry arm service. He
was
faithful and true, and did his share in our unsuccessful struggle to
establish
an independent government. I saw him and some of his family in 1885. He
manifested the same regard for me which he had done since he was a
small boy.
Dunkin is not a rich man, except in children. The Lord has promised
"that
the wife of the righteous shall be the mother of many children" and in
this respect "Dunk" has been peculiarly blessed.
Dunkin
King
Mouzon married (1837-1905) Emma Smith. They have a large number of
children, innumerable
to name. Dunkin lives on a part of the Samuel R. Mouzon estate lands.
His
father was a very extensive land owner.
Samuel
Ruffin
Mouzon (3rd son of Martha and Samuel R. Mouzon) is one of
the best
natured and loveable characters whom I have ever met. His
demonstrations of
affection when parting with him in 1885 were touching, and will never
be
effaced from my mind. There was a family gathering at his house that
day,
feasting and rejoicing on account of our visit, (Burry and me). He
would, like
his brothers have commenced his soldier life with me but on
examination, the
surgeon pronounced his lungs seriously affected, and was in 1862
pronounced to
be unfit for service. Doctors never made a greater mistake, I know no
one who
has uniformly had a better health. When he failed to get into the 25th
S.C. Vols., which I was (at
Samuel
Ruffin
Mouzon, after the death of his mother, married Caroline Montgomery. He
and his
wife and children lived in the old homestead of his father and mother.
William
Pressley, son of John and Mary B. Pressley, married Elizabeth McGill
Gamble. He
died young before my recollection, leaving his wife and a daughter
Sarah
Pressley. The widow married Samuel J. Tisdale. My father, John B.
Pressley,
became the guardian of Sarah, managed her little patrimony consisting
of a few
slaves, very well, and when she attained her majority turned them over
to her
considerably increased in number.
Sarah
Pressley
(Oct. 14, 1829- Oct. 16, 1892) daughter of William, married Samuel
Davis McGill
against the wishes of her mother and relatives. It was a "run-away"
match, but turned out not a bad one. They have children and
grandchildren, but
I can not state their number or names.
(married:
March
14, 1844)
John
Pressley,
first son of John and Mary B. Pressley, died in infancy. He fell back
while in
the arms of his black nurse, Maria and broke his back.
Gotea
I
will now
return to my mother’s side of the house. The last of her line mentioned
was her
mother Elizabeth Gotea (nee Scott).
The
Gautiers
were Huguenots, and after the Revocation of the Edict of the Nactes in
Oct.
1685, which gave toleration to protestants, came to
John
Gotea
Senior (will dated March 24, 1818) married Elizabeth Barnes.
I
know nothing
about my great grandmother, not even her given name. Nor do I know
anything
about my great grandfather. They had ____ children. My grandfather had
a
brother whose name I do know. He was the father of George Gotea who
married
Jennie Heddleston, and Jane Gotea who was the wife of Thomas McCants. I
am
certain that there was also a sister who was the mother of the McCants
family.
John
Gotea
Junior, and Elizabeth Scott were married on the 5th day of
March,
1807. They lived on Cold Water Run as I have already said in the sketch
of
grandmother Gotea.
John
Gotea was
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of Williamsburg
District, and made an excellent officer. He wrote a plain bold hand,
and with
neatness. My grandmother gave me very few incidents of his life. He
died while
the incumbent of the Clerk’s Court, in Kingstree on the 3rd
day of
January 1826. His death was very sudden, none of his family were with
him.
Death came without any warning. My mother said the disease was quinsy.
He was a
Lieutenant in that portion of the army of the United States in the war
of 1812
assigned to the defense of the Southern Coast, and with his company was
stationed on Cat Island near the entrance of Winyah Bay below
Georgetown. A
land warrant was issued to his widow in 1851 as a reward for his
services. It
came after her death. My mother was then acquiring my legal education
and
starting in life.
John
Gotea and
his wife Elizabeth, nee Scott, had children born to them:
William
James
Gotea died at the age of 17years 1 month and 2 days. He was subject to
Epileptic fits, but not disabled by them either mentally or physically.
All
the rest of
these children except Sarah Gotea (my mother) and Margaret Jane Gotea
died in
infancy or childhood. They with their brother William James, and both
parents
are buried on the old homestead on the West side of Cold Water Run, not
far
below the site of the old house.
Margaret
Jane
Gotea was the only one of my grandfather and grandmother Gotea’s
children that
I remember. She was of a very lovable disposition, and above the
average in
good looks. My brother James and I called her "big sister" our sister
Mary we designated as "little sister" She married Robert Harvey
Wilson, a half brother of Emma Pressley nee Pressley the widow of my
brother
James F. Pressley and died on the 19th of June 1845, leaving
her
surviving husband but no children.
PRESSLEY’s
I
have now
brought these sketches down to my own parents.
My
father when
a young man was a sufferer with dyspepsia. It never entirely left him
during
his life, but he grew better as he grew older, and looked healthier and
very
little older in 1863 the hour he died than when I first knew him. My
father
took up residence in the house of his mother-in-law upon his marriage.
He and
my mother lived there, and father managed the plantation for the
benefit of the
whole family until 1839, when he moved to Turkey Creek and settled on
the place
at which his family were reared, and to which I have so often referred.
He left
my grandmother Gotea and Aunt Maggie on the Cold Water Run (Gotea
Plantation)
but still had a general supervision over their business till the
marriage of my
Aunt Margaret. Four of my father and mother’s children were born in the
old
Gotea house, Sister Mary, I, my brother James, and sister Martha Fowler.
My
father had
very little school education, but by his study and reading acquired
more than
an average store of learning. A good many years of his boyhood and
early
manhood were spent in the employ of Black Mingo.
This
Cleland
Belin is a descendant of one of my Brockinton ancestors.
My
father was
much given to politics, but never for himself. He was a "power" for
his friends in local elections.
He
had a
passion for hunting and fishing, the favorite sports of the Southern
gentleman.
As
slavery is a
thing of the past it might interest those who come after me to hear how
a
Southern planter spent his time. My father’s means did not in his
judgment
justify his hiring an over-seer, and he personally managed his
plantation. After
a moderately early breakfast he went to his fields and inspect the work
of the
day before. Then he visited the different gangs of hands (Negro
laborers) and
saw that they were all at work and doing tasks assigned them for the
day. After
this the planter returned to his house and the balance of the day was
spent
with his family, or reading, visiting, entertaining company, or such
other
amusements as accorded with his taste and fancy. Just before or after
supper
the "head man" of the Negroes reported on the work of the day and the
day and for orders for the next day. The most trust man among the
Negroes and
one who could command the respect of his fellow servants, was selected
as
"head man" sometimes called "driver". My father never used
on his plantation this latter term to designate the leader of his black
people.
On the larger plantations the head man did not work that to look after
the
others. Where the number of hands were not sufficient to require all of
his
time he worked as the others, but not so much was required of him. Both
the
Master and Mistress of the plantation looked after the sick. An old
woman,
under the eye of the mistress, had supervision of the children, who had
reached
the age to be left at home by their mothers. Every mother with an
infant had a
nurse assigned her, one of her older children, and if she had none the
child of
some other woman that could be spared. When the babies were old enough
for the
mother to work these nurses accompanied the mothers to the field and
took care
of the babies in a house built for that purpose, or under the shade of
a tree
where the cries of the baby would be in the reach of the mother’s ear
who could
attend to its wants without loss of much time. Deductions were made in
her work
when necessary. The clothing of the Negroes was made by the mistress,
or by
seamstresses under eye. The special duty of the boys of the family was
to superintend
the feeding and generally of the livestock. They were the first of the
white
family out of bed.
Negroes
were by
law accounted "chattels", but my experience is that very few slave
owners regard them as such, or in any other light than as a part of the
household, standing in the estimation of the master and mistress next
below the
children. A sale of one was generally looked upon as a great calamity.
They
were very seldom over worked, indeed it often happened that the
(mistaken)
affection of the master led him to require less work of the Negro that
he
should have been required to do. On many plantations one Saturday every
fortnight
was "Negro Saturday" on which no one was required to work. When the
character of the work was such as to permit the assignment of tasks an
industrious active Negro could frequently gain a day out of the week,
which
added to his "Negro Saturday" gave him more leisure than white
laborers whose families are dependent on their daily wages. Sometimes
the
masters paid them for extra work. My father’s Negroes showed the
effects of
kind treatment. They were all devotedly attached to the family, and
proud of
"we white people" as they called their master and his family.
My
father was
very liberal to his children. Three of us had left the paternal roof
before his
death, and when we set up for ourselves he made a liberal division of
his
Negroes with us.
When
the war
commenced father wished to volunteer, but his boys would not consent.
He had
two sons in the service from the beginning and five before the end
came. We
thought he was giving enough, and that he could serve his country best
at home,
making provisions for the soldiers at the front.
John
Brockinton
Pressley, died on the 7th of May, 1863, of a fever and
disorder
which brought on hemorrhage of the bowels. I was with him in his last
illness.
We laid him to rest with his forefathers in our private graveyard at
"Boyd’s Old Field".
My
mother
survived him and in 1869 she and her whole family left S.C. and came to
Sarah
Pressley,
nee Gotea, my mother died in
John
Brockinton
Pressley and Sarah Pressley (nee Gotea) had children born to them:
Mary
Elizabeth
Pressley married Daniel Dwight Barr on the 22nd day of
April, 1852.
My
sister Mary
was a sickly child. Her ill health was produced by the malarious
condition of
the country. She was a good girl, and grew up to be a woman of kindly
disposition. She was educated at the schools of the neighborhood, and
attended
the Young Ladies Seminary of the Misses Grey at
Her
husband
Daniel Dwight Barr was a distant relative, the relationship coming
through his
mother to my mother, but the manner I cannot trace. He was a
Confederate
soldier, first a Sgt. In the 10th S.C. Vols., then
Commissary with
the rank of Captain of the 25th S.C. Vols., and when the
office of
Regimental Commissary was established by an act of the Confederate
Congress he
went into a Light Battery commanded by Capt. ? Gillaird. He and his
wife first
lived with his father George Barr, and then settled near the old
homestead in
his own house. When about to leave S.C., he sold out to his brother
William
Charles Barr. Daniel D. Barr died in
Daniel
Dwight
Barr and his wife Mary Elizabeth had children born to them:
John
Pressley
Barr died in
Jannette
McCutchen
Barr married Henry E. Footman, son of William C. Footman of S.C. her
husband preceded
us to CA. They were married in this state on the 22nd day of
Dec.
1880. They had two children:
Jennette
Dozier
Footman and Henry Edward Footman.
Sarah
Gotea Barr
died in S.C. at a very early age.
Margaret
Jane
Barr is unmarried. She lives with my sister Jennette Dick Dozier.
George
Barr
died in 1887.
Daniel
Dwight
Barr and John Pressley Barr are buried in the same lot with my brother
James
and my mother in the
I
will leave
myself, John Gotea Pressley, the second of my father’s and mother’s
children,
to be spoken of after I trace the descent of my wife Julia Carolina
Burchmeyer.
James
Fowler
Pressley, son of John B. and Sarah Pressley, received such education as
could
be had in the schools of the neighborhood till the year 1852, when he
went to
the
After
the war
he resumed the practice of his profession, and when the Reconstruction
Acts
were passed and it became evident that there was no peace for the
South, he
removed to Cynthiana, Kentucky where he formed a partnership with Dr.
A.J.
Beale who had been his Surgeon in the Confederate Army and at one time
Asst.
Surgeon of the 25th S.C. Vols. When the rest of the family
concluded
to come to
My
brother
assisted by Dr. H. H. Poland of
I
want to
assure my brother’s children that they may well be proud of their
father. Few
better men ever lived. Stronger love than existed between my brother
and me can
hardly be conceived. After we passed the age for childish quarrels,
never a
shadow of difference came between us. After his death his family took
up their
residence in
James
Fowler
Pressley and his wife Emma Pressley nee Wilson, had children:
These
children
live now with their mother in
Martha
Jane
Pressley, dau. of John B. and Sarah Pressley, grew up to be a handsome
girl,
and one of as nearly perfect character as I have ever known. After
receiving
such education as could be acquired in the schools of the neighborhood,
my
father took her to
Martha
Louisa
Pressley dau. of John B. and Sarah Pressley, died of diphtheria on the
16th
of August, 1846, aged 3 years, 5 months, and 25 days.
Hugh
McCutchen
Pressley, son of John B. and Sarah Pressley, lived to be a brave good,
young
man. He volunteered in Co. F, 25th S.C. Vols., just before
he was 18
years old. My father accompanied him to
I
must tell of
one occurrence as a master that may well excite the admiration of my
children
for their gallant young uncle, and as illustrative of his character.
His
company occupied, in Battery Wagner, a post in the fierce heat of a
September
sun, and exposed to a perfect storm of shot and shell. In making my
rounds I
passed Hugh lying in the ranks with his comrades, and doing his duty
apparently
insensible to fear. I noticed his flushed face, and upon putting my
hand upon
him, I found that he had a scorching fever. I asked him why he had not
reported
to the surgeon and his answer was in substance, "I am your brother and
the
men may say that I am taking advantage of my relationship to get out of
danger". I replied. "Well I will see to that, get right up and go
into the bomb-proof hospital to the Surgeon".
One
day while I
was in that Fort his musket (rifled) got too hot for use, he told me he
had
fired seventy five times that morning.
Hugh
was taken
prisoner with his regiment at
William
Burrows
Pressley, son of John B. and Sarah Pressley, was a cadet at the
William
Burrows
Pressley married Nina Dozier dau. of Dr. L.F. Dozier. Children born to
them:
The
first of
these and Nina Pressley (nee Dozier) died in the year 1883 within a few
days of
each other. William Burrows Pressley is a very successful farmer, and
at
present farming extensively with my brother-in-law Edward C. Dozier, in
Solano
Co., CA.
Harvey
Wilson
Pressley, son of John B. and Sarah Pressley, was too young during the
was to be
in the regular Confederate Service, but was in an organization known as
"the old men and boys", made up of men over 45 and boys under 18. He
saw some service. He too is a successful farmer, now living on his
ranch in
Janette
Dick
Pressley, dau of John B. and Sarah Pressley married on the 20th
day
of July 1871, Edward C. Dozier, son of Anthony W. Dozier of
Janette
Dick
Dozier and Edward C. Dozier have children born to them:
For
some
account of my own children and myself, reference is made to a Second
Volume of
Family History in which I have traced the descent and given some
account of the
family of Julia Burckmeyer, my wife and the mother of my children.
Thinking
that some account of their ancestors and kindred may interest them, I
have
written and left the foregoing pages for my children.
Signed:
John
Gotea Presley
