This brief post goes from 1808 to 1818, when Robert’s will was written and probated. It also includes a transcription of Edmund B. Belcher’s will, his son-in-law. Robert served in the Revolutionary War.
The Anderson generational chain goes like this:
Samuel → ROBERT → Elizabeth Ann m. Champion Wilbourn → Amonet Washington → William Harvey → Ella Washington (Rae) (our grandmother)
For the complete Anderson records of Edgefield District, please click on this link:
Andersons of Edgefield District, South Carolina
Rebecca’s heritage works out like this, briefly:
Joseph Perrin → William Perrin → Rebecca
She descends from illustrious ancestors through her mother Mary Clopton, who married William Perrin, thus:
William Clopton → Walter → William → Mary m. William Perrin → Rebecca Perrin
We have not been able to determine Robert’s and Rebecca’s age. He appears in a deed dated 18 Nov. 1784, as a landowner, so he was 21 or older at that time. He was a prosperous landowner, as much as anyone could be at that time and place. He died before 27 Feb. 1818.
Rebecca Perrin Anderson appears in her daughter Betsey’s father-in-law’s probate records as late as 1831. So she lived past that year.
Rebecca comes from an illustrious family. Her mother is Mary Clopton. The Cloptons are gateway ancestors, which means a man (or woman) is descended from royalty several generations back and then immigrated to the American colonies. So he is a “gateway” back to royal lines. William Clopton, Mary’s great-grandfather, is ours.
Please click on this link to find out more: William Clopton and Our Royal Heritage.
Further, Rebecca’s ancestor is Dr. Robert Booth, whose daughter Ann married William Clopton. Dr. Booth is one of the early co-founders of the Jamestowne settlement.
For more information, click on this link: Robert Booth and Jamestowne Society.
Here are the basics about this family.
Robert Anderson and Rebecca Perrin’s Children
- Elizabeth Ann
She is our direct line, so see her post here:
- Sally
No doubt her full name was Sarah. We have not researched her line.
- Martha Bowen Anderson
We have not researched her line.
- John
He appears frequently in documents. Go this link to find out:
Andersons of Edgefield District, South Carolina
5. Mary
She married EdmundB. Belcher. This is his will:
Edmund Belcher’s Will
Normally we wouldn’t post it here because they are not our direct line. But since few people know about the Belchers, here is a complete transcription of his will.
Written: 3 Dec. 1853
Probated: 10 Oct. 1854
Wife: Mary C. Belcher
Children: Eliza A. Atkinson, Sarah G. Lewis (m. Dr. John E. Lewis)
Deceased child: Rebecca P. Brannon
Grandchildren: Edmond B., Ann H. William B. Hugh M. Mary Rebecca Brannon
Note: Clause Eight says E. B. Belcher purchased one acre family burial ground and Anderson burial ground purchased from John B. Harrison
Edmond B. Belcher’s Will
The state of South Carolina
In the name of God, amen.
I Edmond B. Belcher of Edgefield District in the State aforesaid, having lived beyond the age usually allotted to man and now enjoying good health and being of sound mind, memory and understanding & desirous of disposing of my worldly estate preparatory to my dissolution which in the course of nature must take place before many years do make and declare this to be my last will in manner and form following, hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made {viz}
- I desire my burial expenses and my just debts to be paid out the cash assets I may have on hand at my death if sufficient & if not then I desire my executor hereinafter named to sell my estate either real or personal or of both at public or private sale s sufficiency to pay all just debts by me owing. In making said sale I desire my said executor to select such property as in his judgment can be best shared by my estate.
- I will, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary C. Belcher during her natural life all my estate real and personal after the payment of my debts as directed in the first clause of this my last will.
- I will, desire and bequeath unto my daughter Eliza A. Atkinson during her natural life and after her death to her children then living and to the child or children of any deceased child who are to represent their parents as if living one-third part of my estate after the death of my said wife.
- I will, devise and bequeath one-third of my estate after the death of my said wife unto my daughter Sarah G. Lewis during her natural life and after her death to her children then living and to the child or children of any deceased child who are to represent their parent as if living.
- I will, devise and bequeath one-third of my estate after the death of my wife unto my grandchildren Edmond B., Ann H., William B., Hugh M., and Mary Rebecca Brannon, children of my deceased daughter Rebecca P. Brannon and to their heirs forever share and share alike; and it is my will that if any of my said grandchildren should die before attaining the age of twenty-one years without leaving issue the share of my estate under this my will of any such deceased grandchild or grandchildren go to & vest in the survivors including the shares and interests that any deceased grandchild may take by virtue of this will and in consequence of the previous death of any of said grandchildren.
- It is my will that if either of my said daughters should die without leaving child or children grandchild or grandchildren her surviving that one-half the share of [said?] daughter should go to the surviving daughter upon the terms that I have given them the one-third part of my estate in the third and fourth clauses of this my last will and that the other half go to & rest in the grandchildren named in the fifth clause of this my will upon the same terms and conditions that I have given them the one-third of my estate in the said fifth clause; and if both my said daughters should die without leaving child or children or grandchild or grandchildren them surviving my will and desire is that the estate given them during their natural lives go to & rest in the said grandchildren named in the fifth clause of this my last will upon the same terms and upon the same conditions that I have given them one-third of my estate in the said fifth clause.
- It is my will and desire that my executor hereinafter named after the death of my said wife for the purpose of affecting a division of my estate as above directed sell the whole of my estate upon such terms as he may thing best, and after he has collected the proceeds of said sale my will and desire that he pay the share of my daughter Eliza A. Atkinson to her present husband if he then be living, if not then to the said Eliza A. his or her receipt therefor [sic] the said payment & said receipt of said share to vest no other interest or estate therein in the said Eliza A. or her husband than is heretofore given her in this my last will.
- In the sale of my real estate as heretofore directed my will and desire is that the one acre surrounding my family burial ground with the right of way thereto and the Anderson burial ground purchased by me of John B. Harrison be reserved to the use of my lineal descendants in perpetuity.
- I nominate, constitute and appoint my son-in-law Dr. John E. Lewis executor of this my last will, signed, sealed & published as his last will by the said Edmond B. Belcher in our presence who at his request and in his presence of each other subscribed our names as witnesses to the due execution thereof —
This third day of December A.D. 1853
G. C. Mayson
W. B. Wren
S. S. Thompkins
E. B. Belcher
The witness clause at the end says that W. B. Wren and J. B. Mason signed the last will and testament; the probate begins Oct. 10, 1854.
Source: Vol. D-E pp. 87-89.
So E. B. Belcher died between December 3, 1853 and October 10, 1854.
Edmund and Mary’s Daughter’s Obituary
Mary is the daughter of Robert and Rebecca Anderson, and Edmund is their son-in-law. We include a small part of this obituary here because Mary Anderson Belcher named one of her daughters Rebecca Perrin.
The key part reads:
Departed this life, at their residence near Hamburg, on the 16th of February, last, Mrs. Rebecca Perrin Brannon, wife of Wm. B. Brannon in the 35th year of her age. She was the daughter of Capt. Edmund B. Belcher of Edgefield ….
Clearly Mary respected her grandmother enough to name one of her daughters after her.
Source: Edgefield District, SC, 17 April 1851, Edgefield Advertiser.
Robert Anderson’s Service in the Revolutionary War
Here is the DAR record:
ANDERSON, ROBERT
Ancestor #: A002504
Robert Anderson’s Will
Robert Anderson’s will was written December 17, 1808, and it was proved February 27, 1818. That means he died before the latter date. But how much before? Hard to say. In some cases it may be months, even years, in others cases, days. My sense is that things moved quickly after his passing. So I believe he died in February 1818. His son John Anderson and probably Robert’s wife Rebecca brought it into court February 27, and immediately the probate took effect.
In any case, the will is careless. He did not name his wife. He uses two nicknames for two daughters (Betsey and Sally); the name of his son-in-law Edward should be Edmund. John is said to be a minor, yet he’s appointed as guardian. Finally, the clerk carets in phrases three times.
Written: 17 Dec. 1808
Probated: 27 Feb. 1818
Wife: Unnamed, but living
Children: Betsey, Sally, Martha, Mary Bowen, John, Mary (m. Edmond B. Belcher)
Note: the Perrins who witnessed the will are related to Rebecca. Samuel and Abner Perrin are William Perrin’s sons (Rebecca’s brothers), and Robert Perrin is George Perrin’s son (George is William’s brother and Rebecca’s uncle).
Box no. 2
Pkg. no 34
EDGEFIELD COUNTY
EDGEFIELD, S.C.
PROBATE COURT
IN THE MATTER OF
Robert Anderson
“Will”
Proved by the oath of Abner Perrin
Qualified by John Anderson
Ex’or
Box Number 2
Package Number 34
Filed Feb. 27th 1818
Rob’t Anderson’s Will –
Proved by the oath of Abner Perrin the 27 Feb. 1818, same day qualified John Anderson Ex’or
Jn. Simkins
O.E.D.
2 / 34
The Will of Robert Anderson
Robert Anderson’s Will –
Proved by oath of Abner Perrin
27th Feb. 1818
Same day qualified
John Anderson Ex’or
John Simkins
O.E.D.
2 / 34
Rec’d in Book C page 1
The 7th Day of Jan’ry 1818
M Simkins
O.E.D.
Exam’d
I, Robert Anderson, being of sound disposing mind memory and understanding, Do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following:
Immediately at my death my will and desire is that all my personal property go into the actual occupancy and possession of my wife
I give and bequeath to my dearly loved Wife two negroes, namely Cate and Fillida to her and her Heirs forever
I give and bequeath to my Daughter Betsey when she shall marry or come of age negro Tony, bed, and Furniture, Cow and calf Sow and pigs and thirty Dollars in money to her and her Heirs forever
I give and bequeath to my daughter Sally when she shall come of age or marry, negro named Rose, Bed and Furniture Cow and calf Sow and Pigs and thirty Dollars in money to her and her heirs forever
I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Bowen Anderson negro named Tinah bed and furniture Cow and calf Sow and Pigs and thirty Dollars in money to her and her Heirs forever, when she shall marry or come of age
I give to my Son John negro named Sylvia Bed and furniture Cow and calf Sow and Pigs and thirty Dollars in Cash to him and his heirs forever, when he shall marry or come of age
In case __ then the above named and given negroes die before my said children come of age or marry then my will and desire that another negro of equal value or the amount in money at the discretion [of] my wife and Son named Executrix and Executor be given in lieu of the negro or negroes before given
All the Balance of property not before [word covered with tape] of is to remain with my wife during her natural wife [careted in: or widowhood] and at her death [careted in: or marriage] to be equally divided among all my children share and share alike to them and their Heirs forever
But the part of my personal property that shall fall to my daughter Mary married to Edward Belcher is to be at her disposal entirely and not controlled in any manner by her said Husband
My wife is to live on my Plantation and in my dwelling House during her natural life [careted in: or widowhood] and to have use and enjoy all my real estate during her life or widowhood and at her death or marriage the whole of my real estate to go to my Son John [to] him and his Heirs forever
I do hereby name, constitute and appoint my wife and son Executrix and Ex’or of this my last will and Testament
The words “or widowhood” and the words “or marriage” in the 8th line from the top on the second page put in by my consent and at my desire And also the words “or widowhood” in the sixteenth line of the same page
Given under my Hand and subscribed in the Presence of the witnesses whose names are hereunto annexed this Seventeenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and an eight, and of the American independence the thirty third [sic]
[signed]
Robert Anderson
Sam’l Perrin
Robt. Perrin
Abner Perrin
South Carolina }
Edgefield }
Personally appeared before me Abner Perrin who being duly sword doth make oath and say (that he saw Robert Anderson Sign Seal and declare the same to be and contain his last Will and testament) that he the said Robert Anderson was then of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of the deponent’s knowledge and belief and that he the said Abner Perrin together with Sam’l Perrin & Robert Perrin did Sign their Names as witnesses thereto at the request [careted in: of] the testator in his Presence at the same time Qualified John Anderson Ex’r to the written Given under my Hand at my office the 27 Feb’y 1818
Jn. Simkins
O.E.D.
Inventory and Appraisement
February 27, 1818, the court orders three or four men to go out to the plantation of Robert Anderson and appraise his good and chattels. The men were Samuel Perrin, Robert Perrin, Edward Harrison, and James Harrison, They returned their appraisal on March, 27, 1818. This form is preprinted with blanks to be filled in.
State of South-Carolina}
Edgefield District}
By John Simkins
Ordinary
District of Edgefield
These are to authorize and empower you, or any three or four of you, whose names are here under written, to repair to all such parts and places within this state, as you shall be directed unto by John Anderson of the goods and chattels, rights, and credits of Robert Anderson deceased, wheresoever any of the said goods and chattels are or do remain within said parts and places and which shall be shewn unto you by the said John Anderson
And there view and appraise all and every said goods and chattels, being first duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, so make a true and perfect Inventory and appraisement thereof, and to cause the same to be returned under your hand or any three or four of you, unto the said John Anderson
On or before twenty fourth day of April next.
WITNESS John Simkins Esq. Ordinary of the said District, the twenty seventh day of February [in the] year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and in the forty second year of American Independence.
To Messrs. Appr’sr
Sam’l Perrin }
Robert Perrin }
Ed’d Harrison }
James Harrison }
MEMORANDUM – That on the twenty seventh day of March
In the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen personally appeared before me E. B. Belcher one of the Justices assigned to keep peace in the District of Edgefield Sam’l Perrin Robert Perrin Edward Harrison being three of the appraisers appointed to appraise the good and chattels of Robert Anderson, late of the Dis. aforesaid, deceased, who being duly sword, made oath, that they would make a just and true appraisement of all and singular, the goods and chattels of the said Robert Anderson, deceased, as shall be produced by John Anderson Ex’or of the estate of the said deceased, and that they would return the same, certified under their hands, unto said John Anderson, Executor, on or before [blank] day of [blank] next.
Sworn the day and year above}
Written before me
[Signed:] E. B. Belcher
[Signed:]
Sam’l Perrin
Edward Harrison
Robert Perrin
John Anderson, Ex’or
____
____
Inventory }
Rob’t Anderson } Estate
____
____
Rec’d in the Ordinary Office for Record the 7th April 1818
Jn. Simkins
2 / 34 O.E.D.
Recorded in Book E, pages 261 the 17th day of April 1818
Jn. Simkins
O.E.D
Exam’d
This is the inventory and appraisement that Samuel Perrin, Edward Harrison, and Robert Perrin too and completed March 27, 1818
Do = ditto
Thirteen head of sheep $20.00 thirty-seven head of hogs 75….95.00
One bald horse $40.00 one sorrel do 100.00 ………140.00
One gray mare $60.00 one sorrel do 10.00 …………70.00
One roane horse $100.00 one roane mare $100.00 …200.00
One parsel [sic] of Flax and two bells ………………5.50
Corn in the crib $175 Fodder in the barn 20.00…….. 195.00
Two wheat riddles [sic] and one fan ……………..… 1.50
Five axes two mattox and one iron wedge ………….. 11.00
One cock chane [sic] and jack screw ………………… 6.00 ……. 724.00
Three augers and three chisels ………………………. 2.00
Hand saw drawing knife and claw hammer …………. 2.25
Eleven plows and one pare [sic] of gear …………….. 23.00
Twelve hoes and round Shave [sic] …………………. 5.00
One man’s saddle and two bridles …………………… 20.00
Compass adze square & three reap hooks …………… 2.00
Loom and utentials [sic] belong to it ………………… 25.00
Twenty casks sumaker [sic] tools and carving knife … 18.00…. 97.25
Five sack bags two bread trays and meal sive [sic] ….. 8.00
Four jugs and three funnels ……………………………6.00
A parcel of leather hackle and parcle [sic] of tobacco .. 12.50
Four spinning wheels and clock real …………………. 6.00
A parcle [sic] of old Iron & two sythes & Cables ……. 6.00
Bacon kegs leard [sic] and five bee hives ……………. 200.00
[cut off in copying] 15.00 waggon [sic] & Gear 80.00 . 95.00 ….. 333.50
Amount brought over ……………………… ………… 1154.75
Pewter tin ware and waffle Irons ……………………… 14.00
Crockware pare [sic] of candlestick & Snuffers ………. 10.00
One coffee Mill and Gin case ………………………….. 4.00
Tea ware side Board & furniture ………………………. 85.00
3 Walnut tables and three pine do ……………………… 30.00
Five table cloths and six towels ………………………… 20.00
A parcle of books close [sic = clothes] brushes & powder flask ….. 11.00
Tea kettle tongs and flat Irons …………………………… 3.00 ….. 177.00
Fiftee [sic] Chears [sic] and five Chests ………………… 18.00
Knives and forks and look glass ………………………… 8.00
Six beds bed steads and furniture ………………………… 280.00
One Negro man named Dick …………………………….. 700.00
One do do Tom ……………………………………..…… 900.00
One do do Tone …………………………………….…… 900.00
One Negro woman named Selah …………………….…. 100.00
One do do Cate …………………………………………. 150.00
One do do Liddia ……………………………………….. 300.00 ….. 335[tape]
One do do named Tiner …………………………………. 650.00
One do do Fanny ………………………………………… 500.00
One do do Silve ………………………………………….. 700.00
Two pitch forks and Flax Brake …………………………. 2.00
Nine pails two tubs onn [sic] Churn ……………………… 5.00
Six pots one overspider & three pot racks ………………… 15.00
Grid iron and half Bushel ………………………………… 1.50
Three jars ……………………………………..…………… 3.00
Wearing apparel and shaving Instruments ………………… 80.00 … 1956.50
Total [cut off in copying]
Transcription ends.
Usually there’s a page that has the signatures of the appraisers, but pages may be missing from the probate package.
Summary of Robert and Rebecca’s Life
They lived a very streamlined life. He did not get involved in many deed transactions, whether buying or selling or even being a witness. When he signed over his property to his son John in deeds of gift, he didn’t bother to have his wife sign a dower relinquishment section, probably because the land was going to their son.
They did own some slaves, as noted in his will, as all large landowners did, so nothing unusual there (though it was wrong by moral law). Please click on my post My ancestors owned slaves to find out how I handle this historical fact.
In any case, there is something positive to be said for streamlining one’s life. Many of his contemporaries got involved in lawsuits and land deals, as if they couldn’t be satisfied with what they had.
He seems to have gotten sick in 1808, which is young enough if we calculate his age properly. He may have caught a disease and feared he was going to die. But he lived another decade and didn’t bother to change to terms of the will. Simplicity again.
As noted, Rebecca comes from an illustrious family through her mother Mary Clopton. Her great grandfather William is a gateway ancestor. This means that he descends from royalty several generations back and then he immigrated to the American colonies.
Please click on William Clopton and Our Royal Heritage
To see the next generation, please click on Robert and Rebecca’s daughter Elizabeth Ann Wilbourn.
Related:
William Perrin and Mary Clopton
Live as Free People 