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First Generation- BLACK (Sons/daughters of Isaac) Second Generation - RED Third Generation - GREEN Fourth Generation - ORANGE Fifth Generation - BLUE |
Sixth Generation - BROWN Seventh Generation - GREY Eighth Generation - PURPLE Nineth Generation - DARK BEIGE Tenth Generation - PINK |
Gerard appears in the 1790 census as Head of Household and over 16 years of age (there were three
males under 16 and two females as well). The 1800 census lists Gerard and wife in the 26-45 year
age group. There are four young males and two young females as well. Gerard's wife, Freelove,
was probably in her early 30's because she is still listed in the 26-45 age group in 1810. (She
appears to be living in the Benjamin Gregory household in this census.)
The earliest official record found regarding Gerard is a Stub Entry to an Indent
(Book X, #2385) for £11.18.2½ for Revolutionary War Service in Brandon's
Regiment. The indent was dated 26 May 1786. If Gerard performed this service between 1781 and
1783, as did most of his brothers, he was probably born not much later than 1765.
His son, Benjamin J. Gregory, was born December 12 of 1786 (birthdate is from Benjamin's tombstone).
Gerard was granted 276 acres of land by the State of South Carolina, 24 January 1787 (Warrant date).
The land, located in Ninety-Six District, was situated on the south side of the Broad River on
"branches of Gregory's and Neal's Creeks" and was bordered by John Gregory's, Heneries
(sic: Henry's), Pinckney's, Isaac Gregory's and vacant land. This tract was surveyed 25
January 1787 and recorded 2 February 1787.
Isaac Gregory, father of Gerard, wrote his will 13 August 1796 and left the bulk of his estate
to Gerard. The will was entered into Probate 3 April 1797, with Gerard and his brother, Isaac,
as executors.
Gerard survived his father only five years. His will was written 7 July 1802 and recorded 2
January 1804. This indicated that he died in December 1803. His executors were brother, Isaac,
and wife, Freelove. Children were mentioned but not named.
The 1810 census of Union County lists a Benjamin Gregory as Head of Household (p. 231)
and in the 16-26 year age bracket. It appears that this is Benjamin J. Gregory, son of Gerard and
Freelove Gregory. Benjamin married Elizabeth Crosby Jeter 11 June 1811 according to her tombstone.
This census (1810) lists: one male under 10; one male 10-16; two males 16-26; one female under 10;
one female 26-45. It is postulated that the woman in the 26-45 age bracket is the widow, Freelove;
Benjamin, her son, is the head of the household. Edward, Isaac and David adjoin Benjamin on the
same page.
Freelove appears as Head of Household in 1820. There is another female over age 45 in the house
and one male age 16-26.
It should be noted that, in 1820, Benjamin, Freelove, Isaac and Jarrett live side-by-side. David
does not appear with them. He resided in Pendleton District at this time.
The last recorded transaction by Freelove is a Deed of Gift, transferring 28¼ acres to
her son, Gerard Jr. The deed was executed 3 June 1828 and recorded on 22 February 1829
(Union County Deed Book T, p. 154). The witnesses were George P. Smith and
Uriah Porter. The land was described as "lying near and on the east side of Brown's Creek.
" This could have been a "death bed" gift because Freelove does not appear on the 1830 census.
The names of Gerard and Freelove's children are not listed as a unit until 1831 when a deed,
signed by the sons, records the transfer of land to the heirs of William Porter, Sr. The
daughter listed in 1810 does not sign this deed. It is probably that the daughter of Freelove
and Gerard was the wife of William Porter, Sr., and mother of the heirs listed in the deed.
The sons listed in the document were: David W. Gregory, Benjamin J. Gregory, Isaac Gregory,
Jehu (or John) Gregory and Jarrett Gregory.
The deed (Book V, p. 153, Union County) is reproduced in full on
Page 99. Note that B.J. Gregory signed for David W. and Gerard. The letter referenced within the
signature was not available in Union County. Could this land sale be a final settlement of
Freelove's estate?
Gerard Gregory (?-ca December 1803) was probably the
youngest son of Isaac and Alsey Gregory, though his birthdate is not known. Gerard was
the Gregory with the most variable name.
Variations have included: Jared, Garret, Jarrett and, finally, Gerard. The spelling "Gerard"
was settled upon because it was the way his son, Gerard Jr., and succeeding generations spelled it.
South Carolina
Union District
By Benjamin Haile
In the name of God. Amen.
I, Gerard Gregory, of the State of South Carolina, Union District, farmer, being very weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God: Calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament; that is to say:
First of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors; nothing doubting but, at the general resurrection, I shall receive the same again, by the almighty power of God. And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life: I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
FIRST, I leave to Freelove, my dearly beloved wife, her living on the plantation during her widowhood and good conduct, all things to remain unaltered. And in case of her marrying or breaking good order, then the movable effects to be sold and she to have the part of that the law allows.
As touching my dear children: I leave the boys, at each one's coming of age, to receive fifty dollars in property or money. The girls I leave, at each one's marrying, to receive what Freelove and Isaac Gregory, whom I constitute, make and ordain my sole executors of this my last Will and Testament, may at their discretion see fit to give them. In the case of the death, marrying or bad conduct of my wife, then the estate, real and personal, to be sold on equal division of the personal part among the girls and boys, and the real estate to be equally divided among the boys only, the division not to be made until the youngest child comes of age.
And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies, bequests and executors by me in any wise before named, willed and bequeathed; ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Seventh Jay of July in the year of our Lord, One thousand, eight hundred and three.
Gerard Gregory
By Benjamin Haile,
Ordinary of Said District
Personally appeared before me, John Van Lew, who being July sworn on the Holy Evangelicals of Almighty God, doth make oath and say that he saw Gerard Gregory sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the within writing to be and contain his last Will and Testament. That the said Gerard Gregory was then of sound and deposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of deponant's beliefs, and that James Mathews and James McCord, together with the deponant, did sign their names thereto at the request of the testator and in his presence.
At the same time qualified Freelove Gregory and Isaac Gregory, Executrix and Executor.
Given now my hand the 2nd January 1804.
(signed) Benjamin Haile
The State of South Carolina
Union District
Know all men by these presents that we, David W. Gregory, Benjamin J. Gregory, Isaac Gregory, Jehu Gregory and Jarrett Gregory, part of being of the District and State above mentioned and part of State of Georgia; in consideration of one hundred dollars to us in hand paid by William Porter, of the State and District above written, have granted, bargained, sold and released by these presents do grant, sell and release unto William Porter, Jr., Mathew Porter, Rhody Porter, (Williamson) Porter and William Edward Porter, Jr., all being the heirs of William Porter, Sr., all that tract or parcel of land containing one hundred acres, more or less, lying and being in the District above written on the waters of Little Brown's Creek and bound as follows: Beginning at a pine on the South side of the creek, then to Landlott Cain's and running rather a west course on land belonging to Obadiah Whitlock and lands belonging to John Gregory, Jr. till it intersects with land belonging to Sarah Savage, then along said land rather a southeast course till it intersects with Allen Gregory's line, then along a (near) east course till it crosses the creek some distance and intersects with lands said to belong to George Harvey, thence along said line to the beginning. Together with all and singular the rights, members, hereditaments and appurtances to the same belonging or in any wise incident or appertaining, to have and to hold all and singular, the premises above mentioned unto the above named heirs of William Porter, Sr., their heirs and assigns forever; and we do hereby bind ourselves, and each of our heirs and administrators to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said premises unto the above named heirs of William Porter, their heirs and assigns, against ourselves, our heirs, and against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim, the same or any part thereof. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year above written.
In the Presence Of:
Joseph Tate
John Davenport
Thos Coomer
(B.J. Gregory by letter for) D.W. Gregory
B.J. Gregory
Isaac Gregory
Jehu Gregory
(B.J. Gregory for) Gerard Gregory
Thomas Coomer proved deed before Isaac Gregory
Recorded 2 September 1831
Deed Book V, Page 153
Note: These are sons of Gerard Gregory, son of Isaac, The Elder.
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