Eaton Reese and Susannah "Sukey"
Husband Eaton Reese
Born: 1766-1777 Christened: Died: Abt 1817 - Morgan Co., Georgia Buried:
Father: Thomas Reese (1729- ) Mother: Nancy Helen Stembridge ( -Abt 1777)
Marriage: Abt 1790
Wife Susannah "Sukey"
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Other Spouse: Smith ( -Bef 1792)
Children
1 M William L. Reese
Born: Abt 1792 - Virginia Christened: Died: After 1860 Buried:Spouse: Mary "Polly" Walker (Abt 1794-1850/1860) Marr: 27 Jun 1813 - Columbia Co., Georgia 1 2
2 M Henry Reese
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
3 M Luke Reese
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
4 F Polly Reese
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Walker ( -Bef 1824)
5 M John W. Reese
Born: Abt 1800 - Virginia Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Jane P. Guffin (Abt 1813- ) Marr: 28 Dec 1828 - Newton Co., Georgia 3 4
General Notes: Husband - Eaton Reese
CENSUS:
<pre>1810 Edgefield District, South Carolina
Eaton Reace 12010 -- 10001; no slaves [Read in index]
male female
1 <10 1
2 10-15
16-25
1 26-44
>45 1 </pre>
AGE:
Based on the 1810 census Eaton was born between 1766 and 1784. His brother Henry, born 15 Apr 1777, said that Eaton and Herod were older brothers. So Eaton was born between 1766 and 1777.
LAND in EDGEFIELD DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA:
John Rease and Thomas Rease have adjacent entries in the 1800 census for Edgefield District, South Carolina. Both are between 16 and 25. John is married with 2 young children. Thomas may have a wife 15 or younger. They are presumably brothers. Another brother Eaton is not in the 1800 census, but he is in Edgefield District in the 1810 census. In 1800 and 1801 they purchase land in Edgefield District.
Specifically,
On July 28, 1800 Charles Robertson, planter, of Edgefield District, South Carolina sells a tract of 100 acres to John Rees of the same district for and in consideration of $90 to him paid. The tract being conveyed is part of a tract of 225 acres granted to Robertson and lying in the said district on the waters of Stephens Creek. The boundaries more fully appear on a plat certified by John Boyd, deputy surveyor, dated November 9, 1796. Charles Robertson and his wife Charity Robertson sign the deed with their marks. The deed was recorded September 7, 1801. (Vol 20, pg 340, image 460/521)
On July 31, 1801 Charles Robertson and Charity Robertson, his wife, of Edgefield District, South Carolina sell a tract of 125 acres to Eaton Rees and Thomas Rees of the same district for and in consideration of $200 to them paid. The tract being conveyed is part of a tract of 225 acres granted to Charles Robertson September 5, 1785 and lying in the said district on the waters of Stephens Creek on the Ridge Road heading from Fort Charles to Augusta. The tract is described by metes and bounds. Charles Robertson and his wife sign with their marks. The deed was recorded October 26, 1801. (Vol 20, pg 410, image 495/521)
A plat of the 225-acre tract can be seen at http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/
Enter 'Roberson, Charles' (not 'Robertson') in the Search Box. It is strangely shaped and Flat Rock Branch flows through it.
The following probate documents show that John and Thomas died in the early 1800s and that by 1806 their brother Eaton owns the whole Charles Robertson tract.
Package 1853 of box 44 of loose probate papers (images 737-744/938 at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9P1-LV8V?i=736&cat=363944) provides details of the probate of the estate of Thomas Rees, who died intestate, probably in December 1801.
Eaton Rees was appointed administrator of the estate of Thomas Rees. On January 1, 1802 Eaton Rees, John Rees, and John W. Hendrick are bound to John Simkins, Esquire, Ordinary for the District of Edgefield, in the sum of $1000 for the faithful performance by the administrator of his duties.
Image 739 provides an inventory of the estate. The total value is $327 consisting of 3 notes in the aggregate amount of $250 ($75, $100, $75) and 4 items (1 mare and saddle, $60; 1 cow, $12; 3 rawhides, $4, and 2 hoes, $1).
Image 744 shows the results of the sale of personal property. The number of items is small, and the amount received was $88.3175. David Hendrick bought the mare for $65. John Rees bought a cow and calf for $16.9375. Eaton Rees bought the 2 hoes for $1, a hide for $1.625, and the saddle for $.625. Joseph Prince bought 2 hides for $1.875 and $1.75.
The probate procedure for Thomas Rees does not mention a wife or children nor Thomas Rees's partial ownership of the land that he and Eaton Rees purchased in July 1801. It appears that Thomas's share of the land passed to Eaton.
In 1804 John Rees died. He signed his will February 14, 1804. It was proved March 27. The following copy of the will is on page 191 of Will Book A (image 102/451 at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PT-GSSW-4?i=101&cat=363944).
In the name of God amen. I John Rees of the State of South Carolina and District of Edgefield Farmer am sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and Testament. Principally and first of all I recommend and freely give my soul in to the hands of God that gave it my body I recommend to the Earth to be Burried in a decent Christian buriel according to the directions of my Executioners. Secondly I give and bequeath unto my dear faithfull and loveing wife Judy Reese (with Elisha Palmer whom I constitute Executors of the same) to collect all debts due too and pay all debts due from my Estate then to sell and dispose of all my Real Estate for the use Benefit and behoof of my Dear and loveing wife Judy Reese and our fartherless orphans, viz. Thomas, Salley, James & Herrod according to the directions of my loveing wife Judy Rees, and our brother Elisha Palmer whom I constitute soul Executrix and Executor of this my last will and Testament which I Ratify and alow disannulling all other Wills and Testament Witness my hand this fourteenth Day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred & four -----
John (his X mark) Rees (seal)
In presents of us -----
Martin Gozia
Nicholas Minor
Eaton (his X mark) Rees
The will was proved by the oaths of Martin Goza and Nicholas Minor March 27, 1804 and was recorded May 22, 1804 in Book B, pages 101 and 102.
Package 1839 of box 44 (images 626-631/938 at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9P1-LKHH?i=625&cat=363944) provides details of the probate. There is a copy of the will. The wording is slightly different from the above. There is an inventory on image 630. The 4 most valuable items are
1 Bay Mare ----------$25
2 Cows & Yearlings -- 20
2 Beds & furniture -- 30
5 Bee hives --------- 10
The total value is $118.475.
On November 26, 1805 Judy Reese of Edgefield District, South Carolina, executrix of the last will and testament of John Reese, dec'd, and being directed in said will to sell a certain tract of land in Edgefield whereon said Rees died sells the said tract containing 100 acres to Eaton Rees of the same state and district in consideration of $120 to her paid. The tract being sold is part of a tract of 225 acres granted to Charles Robertson situated on the Flat Rock Branch adjoining Eaton Rees, Wm. Thomas, and others. Judy Rees signs with her mark. The witnesses are Permelia Talbert, John Boyd, and Chesley Farrar. The deed was recorded March 24, 1806. (Vol 26, pg 428, image 580/871)
Eaton Reese now owns the entire 225-acre tract granted in 1785 to Charles Robertson. He and his wife sell it in late 1812 and early 1813, presumably in preparation for moving to Morgan Co., Georgia.
Specifically,
On October 16, 1812 Eaton Reese and Susannah Reese, his wife, both of Edgefield District, South Carolina, sell to William Durham of the same district for $134 to them in hand paid a tract of 130 acres, more or less, being the land whereon his brother John Rees, dec'd, lived and part of the tract on which he is now living and adjoining the lands of Agatha Middleton, Henry Ware, and Susannah Barksdale, dec'd, being part of a tract of 225 acres granted to Charles Robertson September 15, 1785. The deed is signed by Eaton (his X mark) Rees and Sukey Rees. The witnesses are Henry Ware, James Doss, and Charles McKie. The deed was recorded October 4, 1819. (Vol 36, pg 216, image 118/574)
On January 21, 1813 Eton Reese of Edgefield District, South Carolina sells to George Graves of the same district for $150 to him in hand paid a tract of 92 acres, more or less, lying on the waters of Stephens Creek on the Augusta Road by Turogs Ferry, being part of a tract of land granted to Charles Robertson and bounded N. by land of Durham, E. by lands of R. Ware and W. Middleton and S.W. by lands of Daniel McKie. The deed contains a plat of the tract and is signed by Eton (his X mark) Reese. The witnesses are James Doss, and Peggy Ware. On January 23, 1813 Sukey Reese relinquishes her dower rights. The deed was recorded July 4, 1823. (Vol 40, pg 113, image 285/757)
There is a reference to the land of Eten Rees in another land grant which can be seen at http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/. Enter "Rees" in the search box and look for "Rees Eten". On January 21, 1805 a tract of 757 acres in Edgefield District was surveyed for Elizabeth S. Middleton. The tract is bounded on the west by the Savannah River, and the Ferry Road runs through it. It is bounded on the east by Eten Rees's land and on the north by land of the estate of Hugh Middleton.
DEATH in MORGAN CO., GEORGIA:
The appraisement on March 6, 1818 indicates that Eaton Reese died in early 1818 or in 1817. The proving of the will on January 6, 1818 indicates that he died in 1817. The following distribution agreement was signed December 11, 1824, and the sale of the assets of the estate took place the same day. The distribution agreement and the report of the sale were recorded in 1827. It is unclear who Polly Walker is. William L. Reese married a Polly Walker in Columbia Co., Georgia in 1813. Is the Polly Walker in the distribution agreement the wife of William L. Reese, or is she a daughter named Mary/Polly of Eaton Reese who married a man with surname Walker who is now deceased?
WILL:
Georgia Probate Records 1742-1990, Morgan County
Wills and marriages, 1808-1899 vol A-D, image 218/752:
In the name of God Amen I Eaton Rees of Morgan County and State of Georgia being weak in Body tho of perfect Mind & Memory and calling to Mind the frailty of human nature that it is appointed for all men to die do Make and publish this my last will and testament in Manner and form following Viz, ---- Item first I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Sookey Rees Two Negroes Jo & Philis which is expected to come from the Estate of Wm. Smith Dec'd of Virginia, or as it may be, all or much of my stock of every discription household furniture tools &c as will be Sufficiant for her Support during her natural life or Widowhood and should she marry my desire is that my Executors do immedeately thereafter call a division with her allowing her an equal division with my heirs and her son Jesse H Smith Item my desire is after her death that an equal division with all the heirs of her body should take place as soon as convenient thereafter of all the remains of any estate of every discription Item My wish and desire is that as any of My children grows up to a Mature age or marries that they should be as much given to them as may be to spare and an account be kept thereof so as to do equal of _______ to them all which I wish my Executors to Guage what May be to Spare leaving my wife Sookey Reese a Sufficiant Support ---- Item I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my wife Sooky Reese Executrix & Jesse H Smith Executor of this my last will & testament to carry the same into full effect revoking all other or former will ratifying this my last will and testament In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this nineteenth day of October in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred & fifteen --- Signed Sealed & acknowledged before us subscribing Witnesses
Nancy (her + mark) Hardman
Wm. Talbot
John Hardman
Eaton (his + mark) Reese (Seal)
On January 6, 1818 John and Nancy Hardman swear in open court that they saw Eaton Reese sign the will.
PROBATE:
Georgia Probate Records 1742-1990, Morgan County
Administration and guardian records, appraisements, citations and sales 1818-1825, Vol D, page 2, image 19 of 501:
Appraisement of the Estate of Eaton Reese dec'd.
================================================
Dated March 6, 1818 and signed by Jon Cox, James Cox and Robert his x mark Rogers. Recorded 7 Sept 1818 by John Nisbet Clk. Total estimated value $1403.125. The list includes various household items and tools, cattle & bell $30, sow, pigs & barrow $20, 1 black mare $50, 1 Negro girl $400, and 1 Negro boy $800.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Georgia Probate Records 1742-1990, Morgan County
Administration and guardian records, appraisements, citations and sales 1825-1828, Vol E, page 165, image 134 of 400:
<pre>
Sale of the Estate of Eaton Reese dec'd 11th Dec 1824
=====================================================
One Lot of Bottles David Duke .37 1/2
One Churn Tray Piggin & axe Thomas Allen 2.00
One Lot of Jugs William Allen 1.31 1/4
One Lot of Peuter James Night 3.12 1/2
One Lot of Sundrys Thomas Allen 2.00
One Pot James Malcom 1.81 1/4
One Lot of Sundries Iron Absalom Autary 2.12 1/2
One Spinning Wheel Jesse H Smith 1.00
One Spinning Wheel Henry Reese .62 1/2
One Lot of Plow Hoes Promenus Haynes 1.81 1/4
Two Prods Jesse H Smith .62 1/2
One Tub & Sundries George R Autry 2.25
Bottles & Cracken David Duke .31 1/4
Three Barrels & Salt John Hardman .75
One Grindstone & Hammer Hardy Matton 3.00
One Bed and Stead & furniture James Walton 6.56 1/4
One Bed and Stead & furniture Henry Rees 6.75
Two Chests Thomas Kelly 3.43 3/4
Six Chairs Robert Polly 1.00
One Oven and Baker William Allen .25
Phillis a Girl James Walton 530.00
Hal a Boy Jesse H Smith 310.00
Joe a Man Robert Polly 600.62 1/2
One Colt James Phillips 10.12 1/2
------------
Jesse H Smith Ext'r $ 1491.87 1/2
Recorded 15th January 1827
John W Porter CCO
</pre>
--------------------------------------------------------------
Georgia Probate Records 1742-1990, Morgan County
Administration and guardian records, appraisements, citations and sales 1825-1828, Vol E, page 209, image 157 of 400:
<pre>
Bond from Eaton Reese Legatees to Jesse H Smith Ex'r
====================================================
Know all men by these presents that We Suckey Reese John W Reese Polly Walker and Henry Reese all of the State of Georgia are held and firmly bound unto Jesse H Smith of said State in the Just and final sum of One Thousand Dollars to the true payment of which We Jointly and severally bind Ourselves our heirs amd Assighns firmly by these presints Witness our hands and Seals this Eleventh day of December 1824. The Condition of the above bond is such that the Above Named Sukey Reese being Widow of Eaton Reese deceased and of her own accord thinks proper to Make a Distribution of the Estate of said Eaton Reese deceased Which was Willed to said Sukey Reese during life of Widowhood and the said Jesse H Smith Son of the said Sukey Reese before the marriage of sd Eaton & Sukey Reese the said Sukey Reese having given or Contracted to the Said Jesse H Smith Three Negroes Viz Jo Phillis & Hall during life Or Widowhood for Which the sd Jesse has bound himself on a bond of Four Thousand Dollars for the Support of sd Sukey Reese after which to be equally divided According to the Will of said Eaton, But the said Sukey before her death of her own Choice Wishes to Make an equal division Between herself & William L Reese her Oldest son who resides without the State and John W Reese Polly Walker Henry Reese does truly and Justly without any interferance or anywise hereafter Acknowledge & Admit the said Jesse H Smith to receive the one Sixth part of said Estate after lawful debts and expenditures on those Conditions the sd Jesse H Smith agrees to give up sd Negroes and the sd Sukey Reese gives up all her household & Kitchen furniture plantation tools and Appara____ & C____ subject the same to be sold and distributed as above and to be Conducted by the Executors of the said Eaton Reese In Testimony Whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the date Above Written Signed in presence of
Charles Arrington
Live White
John Hardman
Luke Reese (Seal)
John W Reese (Seal)
Polly (her X mark) Walker (Seal)
Henry Reese (Seal)
William L (his x mark) Reese (Seal)
Recorded 4th April 1827
John W Porter CCO
</pre>
TAX RECORDS:
Tax records are available for Morgan Co. for 1808-10, 1812, 1817, 1818, 1820, 1823, 1824, 1826, 1829, 1830, 1832, 1838, 1840, and later. The following entry for 1820 is an example:
1820 -- Rece Joseph in Capt. Hubbard's District, image 525/592:
19 Morgan; 244 607.5 -- -- Sugar; Peneck Anderson; 1 poll, 23 slaves, 1 2wc, $9.51875
The image number refers to a file available online from familysearch.org. '19' is a district number. It is not the same as the district associated with Capt. Hubbard. 'Morgan' is the county of residence or the county where land is located. '244' is a number associated with land; I do not know its significance. In this entry there are 607.5 acres of first quality land, 0 acres of second quality land, and 0 acres of third quality land. The land is in the watershed of Sugar Creek, adjoins lands belonging to Peneck, and was granted to Anderson. Joseph Rece pays for 1 poll, 23 slaves, and one 2-wheeled carriage. He pays 9 dollars, 51 cents, and 8 3/4 mils. 'un' means 'unknown'.
1808 -- Hardman John, guardian for Jesse H. Smith, image 56/592:
20 Morgan; 217 -- -- 101.25 Sandy; Daniel Simpson; 0 polls, $.126
1812 -- Hardman John, agent for Jesse H. Smith, image 262/592:
20 Morgan; 217 -- -- 101.25 Sandy; Daneils Thos. Simpson; no polls, $.25
20 Morgan; 218 -- -- 101.25 Sandy; Young un;
1817 -- Reace Eaton in Capt. Parker's District, image 363/592:
a) 20 Morgan; no land; 1 poll, 2 slaves, $.9375
b) agent for Jesse Smith
Morgan; 217 -- -- 202.5 Sandy; Dickvine un; 1 poll, 0 slaves, $.7425
Columbia; -- -- -- 16 Butters; C Beal Walker;
6 Wilkerson; 19 -- Pine 202.5 un; un Wm. Brooke;
1818 -- Rece Susanah Exe'r for Eaten Reace in Capt. Townsend's District, image 488/592:
Morgan; no land; no polls, 2 slaves, $.625
1818 -- Reace William in Capt. Townsend's District, image 486/592:
a) 20 Morgan; no land; 1 poll, no slaves, $.3125
b) agent for Temperence Allen
1818 -- Smith Jesse in Capt. Townsend's District, image 486/592:
20 Morgan; 217 -- -- 303.75 Sandy; Fowler Sampson; 1 poll, no slaves, $.9675
6 Wilkerson; 19 -- Pine 202.5 un; un Wm. Brooke;
Columbia; -- -- Pine 160 Butters; Wathine un;
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS?:
Joseph Reese and John C. Reese were born in Virginia and came to Morgan Co., Georgia before 1820. They remained there all their lives. They were prosperous and had numerous children. It is tempting to conjecture that they were brothers, but I have not been able to demonstrate that. It is also tempting to conjecture that they were related to Eaton Reese. All 3 showed up in Morgan Co. at about the same time, and all 3 came from Virginia.
In tax records in 1818 and in 1820 John C. Reese is the guardian of Jordan Reese. Later, in 1864 John C. Reese is appointed the administrator of the estate of Jordan Reese in Floyd Co., Georgia. I have conjectured that John C. and Jordan were sons of Isham Reese who died in Jones Co., Georgia in 1816.
In 1820 Nathaniel Reese (no land, 1 poll) is a defaulter in Capt. Hubbard's district (image 582/592). In 1823 Nathaniel Rece (no land; 1 poll, 7 slaves, $2.50) is in Capt. Wellborn's district.
General Notes: Wife - Susannah "Sukey"
MARRIAGES:
The phrase "allowing her an equal division with my heirs and her son Jesse H Smith", referring to Sukey in the will of her husband Eaton Reese, indicates that she first was married to a man named Smith. One interpretation is that she married Eaton before the birth of William L. Reese in the early 1790s and that she is the mother of his children. Another interpretation is that she is Eaton's second wife and not the mother of any of his children. Eaton and Sukey were married before 1812, when they sold land in Edgefield District, South Carolina.
LAND LOTTERY:
Susannah Reece (Wid) participated in the 1821 Georgia land lottery. At that time she was a resident of Capt. Young's district in Morgan Co., and she received 202.5 acres in lot 142 in district 5 of Monroe Co. As a widow with 3 years of residence in Georgia she was entitled to one draw. In 1821 Monroe was larger than it is today, but district 5 is still in Monroe Co. It is immediately west of the Ocmulgee River. See
http://sites.rootsweb.com/~gamonroe/land/1821lottery.htm
1 Frances T. Ingmire, "Columbia County, Georgia Marriage Records 1791 -- 1859," 1985, pg 20.
2 Georgia, Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978, William Reese and Polly Walker married June 27, 1813 by R. Crawford, MG; license issued June 15, 1813. Repository: http://www.ancestry.com.
3 Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records From Select Counties, 1828-1978, Newton > Marriages, Book A, 1822-1835. Repository: http://www.ancestry.com.
4
"Familysearch.org," "Georgia Marriages, 1808-1967", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FW6M-CZ5 : 11 January 2020), John W. Reese, 1828.
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