William Reese and Mary James

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Husband William Reese

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Abt Dec 1810 - Sumter Co., South Carolina
         Buried: 

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         Father: Common Father Reese (      -      )
         Mother: 

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       Marriage: 

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Wife Mary James

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: After Dec 1810
         Buried: 

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         Father: Shearwood James (      -After 1782)
         Mother: Martha (      -      )

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Children

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1 M William J. Reese

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           Born: 1770-1780
     Christened: 
           Died: 1840-1850 1
         Buried:  - Ch. of the Holy Cross Cem., Stateburg, Sumter Co., South Carolina

         Spouse: Maria Ford (Abt 1773-1836)

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2 F Maria P. Reese

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           Born: Abt 1794
     Christened: 
           Died: 9 Mar 1849 2
         Buried:  - Greenwood Cem., Jackson, Hinds Co., Mississippi

         Spouse: John Mayrant Jr. (Abt 1785-1848)
           Marr: 11 May 1814 - Sumter Co., South Carolina

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3 M Orlando S. Reese

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           Born: 18 Aug 1796
     Christened: 
           Died: 9 Apr 1852 3
         Buried:  - Ch. of the Holy Cross Cem., Stateburg, Sumter Co., South Carolina

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General Notes: Husband - William Reese

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PARENTS:

There is clear documentary evidence that five brothers with surname Reese/Rees were in South Carolina in the second half of the 1700s. They were William, Benjamin, Hugh, Edwin, and Isham. Benjamin and Hugh migrated westward to Georgia. The other 3 remained in South Carolina.

Isham of the 5 brothers may, or may not be, the same person as the Isham Reese born 8 Aug 1732 in Bristol Parish, Virginia. See notes under William's brother Isham for more details. We know nothing about William's parents apart from what we know about Isham.

LAND in CRAVEN CO., SOUTH CAROLINA:

Summaries of documents relating to land grants and early land transactions in South Carolina can be seen at http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/.

A document dated 20 Oct 1762 relates to a grant to William Rees of 300 acres on the Santee River in Craven Co., South Carolina. Another document dated 13 Jul 1762 refers simply to a grant of 300 acres in Craven Co. The two documents may refer to the same grant or to different grants. A document dated 23 Mar 1767 refers to a plat for 200 acres in Craven Co. Another document refers to William Rees as a adjacent property owner.

Other documents refer to Williams's brothers Edwin Rees, Isham Rees, Hugh Rees, and Benjamin Rees.

According to Wikipedia Craven Co., South Carolina was one of the 3 original counties established by the Lords Proprietor of the English colony of Carolana in 1682. The original Craven County's lands now lie in parts of Berkeley, Charleston, Georgetown, and Williamsburg counties. The Santee River drains a substantial part of South Carolina and enters the Atlantic Ocean at Charleston. It is formed by the confluence of the Wateree River and the Congaree River about 140 miles NW of Charleston.

BROTHERS:

The will of Isham Rees establishes that William, Benjamin, Hugh, Isham, and Edwin are brothers. Edwin's will names his brothers Hugh and Isham as executors.

CENSUS:

<pre>1790 Claremont District, South Carolina
W^m Reesse 232; 207 slaves
males >= 16 2
males < 16 3
females 2 </pre>

He is in the sequence Wm Reesse, Isham Reesse, Huberd Reese, Scarbro Reese, 38x, Thomas Reesse.

<pre>1800 Sumter District, South Carolina, Claremont
William Reese 10011 -- 11111; 70 slaves, 5 other free persons
male female
1 <10 1
10-15 1
16-25 1
1 26-44 1
1 >45 1 </pre>

He is in the sequence Hubert Reese, 7x, William Reese, 64x, Scarborough Reese, 16x, Isham Reese.

<pre>1810 Sumter Co., South Carolina, Claremont
Mary Reese 01000 -- 01111; 133 slaves, 1 other free person
male female
<10
1 10-15 1
16-25 1
26-44 1
>45 1 </pre>

WILL:

Probate records of Sumter Co., South Carolina, "Sumter County, South Carolina will books and estates index and file book, 1800-1963", "Will book, vol. A-AA, 1800-1822", film #355728, pgs 88-89, images 103-04/366:

The will of William Rees begins in the middle of page 88 below a double line drawn across the page. The first part containing the testator's name, the date, and the standard verbiage about being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, understanding the inevitability of death, etc., etc. is missing. What follows is the part that remains. Non-standard spelling, capitalization, and punctuation have been preserved, but the text has been split into paragraphs for readability. There is no paragraphing in the original.


for Mrs Rees,
the use of my house & furniture, and During Life or while She remains my Widow and then a equal Division between my two children M. P. Rees and orlandon Rees I Likewise, [give] her the following negroes, Negro fellow named Derry and his Wife Beatty, also Sopha, and her two children, Likewise Lucy and her fore Children, and old wench namd Rose, also two nigras fellows, one named bob the other an old fellow named Harrey, a _hace, and two Carriage Horses, and to be supported while She remains my widow as She formerly has been.

I give to my Daughter M P Rees five tracts of Land Joining each other lying on the east Side of Cain Savanna Swamp an white oak branch, Likewise a tract of Land Bought at Sherriff Sale Lying on the waters of Black river, Likewise the following Negroes (Viz) Sam and his wife loady Isaac and his wife Nann, a Negro wench nam'd Sall and her Brother a yellow Boy nam'd Randil also a negro Girl nam'd Susyann & her Brother namd Virgil and a negro Girl cald milly and one cald wanskey, and one negro boy nam'd Dick,

I give to my Son orlandon Rees, the plantation where I now live and all the Lands adjoining it Likewise my plantation on the Swamp comily cald the cain brakes and all the Lands adjoining it with the following negroes, mases, & his wife, milly and her two children. Likewise a young fellow, namd moses and one namd Sam and boy namd Wilson and one named Joe, also Toney and his wife ginney & her two children, the above negroes I give to them their Ieres forever, but should either of them die before they arrive at the age of 20 years, and without Issue, and that Issue living, then the part of the one that Dies, to return to the living one. it likewise my wish as all my negroes, not named or given away in this my last will & testament, with all my Stock of all Description Should be equally Divided by 3 or 5 men chosen by my Executors hereafter namd.

it is also my wish that Miss Mary Pringle shall have the bed and furniture she now uses, and a negro garl between 12 & 15 years of age, an $300, to be paid her by my executors in one year after my Death or Sooner if Convenient,

I likewise leave my Daughter M P Rees, $5000 to be paid her in money in one year after marrage or when she arrives at the age of twenty one years,

it my wish the negro should be work on the plantations above mention and all moneys arising from the crops, that is not expended Raising and Education Should be put to Interest and an Equal Division maid between them the division taken place,

The above Will was proven in Solem form by the oaths of William Bracey Tolefero James, Merry Bracey, & John Mcdonald who Swore the above will was the handwriting of William Rees Deceased

Done before me in the Court of ordinary the 14 of December anno Domini 1810---
William Taylor
ordinary S. D.

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General Notes: Wife - Mary James

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A typescript of the will of Mary's father Shearwood James can be seen at http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/. It is entitled "James, Shearwood Of Saint Marks Parish, Kershaw County Will Typescript (Mss Will: Camden District Estate Record Book A1, Page 142; Estate Packet: Apt. 129, Pkg. 5086) (3 Frames). Date: 1783-1784".

The following item shows that his daughter Mary was married to a man with surname Rees who had a son named William. William Rees had a son William J. Rees. William Rees's brother Hugh Rees also had a son named William, but we have evidence that Hugh's wife was named Sarah. Hence we can be confident that Mary James was the wife of William Rees rather than of Hugh Rees. Moreover, the will of Isham Rees speaks of "my Sister in law Mary Rees, Wife of my Brother William".

Item, I give & bequeath to my Grandson William Rees Son of Mary Rees my Daughter one Negro Named Abram a boy I formerly lent to my Daughter Mary Rees, I give the same to him & his Heirs forever.

The plat of a tract of 93 acres granted to Philip Pettypool on the High Hills of Santee in Craven Co., South Carolina indicates that Shearwood James and William Rees lived near each other. See notes under Shearwood James.

1 "Find-a-Grave," Memorial # 184088129.

2 "Find-a-Grave," Memorial # 118602168.

3 "Find-a-Grave," Memorial # 148474667.