SLF on Family Tree Circles

From Book A, page 82, DAR Records: Last Will and Testament of Nathan Crawford 1763-1823

brother: 1. David Crawford, b. 10 Oct 1767, Amherst, VA d. 1821 Jasper, GA (David is approximately Nathan's age.)
2. Senator William Harris Crawford 1772-1834
3. Charles Crawford 1773-1824
4. Robert Crawford 1764-1882
5. Joel Crawford, Jr. 1766-1841
mother: Frances Harris Crawford 1746-1814
Nathan's will was witnessed by Nathaniel Barnett and William Barnett.

David Crawford 1767-1821 married Mary Lee Wood 1763-1855. Their son was Robert Harris Crawford, b. 8 May 1796, d. 28 May 1864. Robert married Mary Winn "Polly" Jennings. Polly was born 23 Jan 1800 in Edgefield, SC and died 24 Aug 1868 in Chicksaw, MS. Polly is the daughter of Robert B. Jnnings, Sr. 1764-1816 and Tabitha Lockhart 1778-1847.

Is there a connection between the Forter family and the Crawford and Jennings families.

For years now, Nathan Fortner has been a roadblock. I have been unable to find any information on his parents or his siblings. The History of Chickasaw County, Vol. I tells us that Nathan was born 1770-1775 in Edgefield, South Carolina. The 1850 Chickasaw county, MS census says he was born in 1770 in South Carolina.

There has been some speculation that Fortner was his adopted name because he was full-blooded Cherokee or Delaware or Choctaw. There is no proof that he was Native American, however, Edgefield county was originally owned by the Cherokee before the white man moved into the area about 1655.

There is some speculation that his parents came from Wales and may have been indentured servants, but again, there is no proof. Those who think William and Angeline were his parents also believe that his brothers were Job, Matthew and Andrew. Again, no proof and no information about Job, Matthew and Andrew, such as birth and death dates, wives, children, residence, etc. They also show that Nathan is living in Anson county, North Carolina in 1790. The Nathan in Anson county, NC in 1790 is much older than our Nathan.

I am determined to find Nathan's parents. I recently read that if you aren't finding what you are looking for then you're not looking in the right place. That makes sense to me, so I have begun to look to other sources for Nathan and his parents. I have started with immigrants to the USA from any country. Prior to England recognizing our independence in 1783, people coming from England were not immigrants, they were merely citizens of Great Britian moving to another part of Great Britian. However, there are some records, i.e. records of prisoners or indentured servants who had a court order to go to the colonies. Some Faulkner/Falkner/Fortner/Forkner came from Germany. I have also turned to the books written by Mona Forkner Paulas. I have requested a book by Louise Moore Sims by interlibrary loan.

I appreciate hearing from anyone who has information about Nathan Fortner from South Carolina.

John Faulkner, Sr. who came to America in 1655 had a son named Francis 1648-1786. Last nite I found another Francis: Lt. Francis Faulkner 1651-1732. His father was Edmund Faulkner who immigrated to America in 1639. Edmund's parents were Richard Faulkner 1590-1670 and Joan Maidunk 1595-1650. Lt. Francis Faulkner is the Francis who married Abigail Dane. Abigail has her own page on Wikipedia.
So, my search has taken a turn. I'm still researching the Faulkners of Massachusettes. I still intend to go back to Nathan Faulkner born about 1745 and the father of Dr. Archibald Faulkner.

Peter Faulkner immigrated in 1849 on the ship "Maine". He was born in 1824, making him 25 when he came to America. He was Irish.

From American Immigrations loyal to British crown before, during and after the war, 1765-1799:

Alexander Falconer

John Falconer was a merchant.

John Falconer was a cabinet maker who came to America on the ship "Sally". His master was Thomas Potts and Alexander Falconer. He bore arms at Staten Island, Long Island, and Jamacia, NY.

Ralph Falkner of Old England District, Tyron County.

William Falkner of Susquehanna River, Tryon County. He was imprisoned during the war for 2 years at his own expense.

From Bonded Passengers to America:

Alice Faulkener, 1739, sentenced to transportation at Sessions of Gaol Delivery, Oct-Dec 1739. Embarcation, Jan 1940 on the ship, "York" to Maryland.

James Faulkner, sentenced to transportation at Sessions of Gaol Delivery, July 1764. Embarcation: Sep 1765 on "Justitia".

Faulkner, alias Jane Howard. This alias could be her maiden name. Sentenced to transportation at Sessions of Gaol Delivery, Oct-Dec 1750.

Mary Falkner, sentenced to transportation at Sessions of Gaol Delivery, Dec 1766. Embarcation, Jan 1767 on "Tryal".

Richard Faulkner, sentenced to transportation at Middlesex Quarter Sessions, April 1751. Embarcation, Sep 1751 on "Greyhound".

William Faulkner, sentenced to transportation at Sessions of Gaol Delivery, Jan 1724. Embarcation, Feb 1724 on "Anne" to Carolina.

Passenger List:
Wiliam Falkner, no age, arrived in America, no date of arrival, resource book 720, page 61.
William Falkner, no age, arrived in America, 1801-1802 (date of arrival), resource book 9151, page 477.
Willm Falkner, age 21, arrived in Maryland, arrived 1774, resource book 2128, page 20.
Willm Falkner, age 21, arrived in Maryland, arrived 1774, resource book 9151, page 238.
Date and port of arrival. Extracted from registers T 47/9-12, located at the Public Record Office in Kew, Surrey, England. Name of ship, country of origin, occupation and other historical information may also be provided.
Source Bibliography COLDHAM, PETER WILSON. Emigrants from England to the American Colonies, 1773-1776. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1988. 182p.
Page
WISEMAN, WILLIAM A. "Emigrants from England to Settle in Maryland." In Prince George's County Genealogical Society Bulletin. Vol. 14:6 (Feb. 1983), pp. 83, 91; vol. 14:7 (Mar. 1983), pp. 103-104; vol. 14:10 (June 1983), pp. 142-143.
Page 142

From The Early Settlers of Maryland: (transported indicates that someone paid for their passage and that they may have been servants.)

Edward Falkner, Book 17, Page 608, transported in 1673

Elizabeth Faulkener, Book 9, Page 190, transported in 1665
Francis Faulkener, Book 9, Page 190, transported in 1665
John Faulkener, Sr., Book 9, Page 190, transported in 1665--Hog Pen Neck, Kent county
John Faulkener, Jr., Book 9, Page 190, transported in 1665
Thomas Faulkener, Book 9, Page 190, transported in 1665

William Faulkener, Book 9, Page 175, transported in 1665

Elizabeth Faulkner, Book 10, page 306, transported in January 1665

Elizabeth Faulkner, Book 15, page 413, transported in 1677

John Harrison, 1838-1893, married Amanda Fortner, 1843-1908, about 1859. Amanda Fortner is the daughter of Nathan Fortner, Jr.

John and Amanda Harrison are listed on the death certificate of their daughter, Leona Harrison Miller. Amanda's maiden name is mistakingly spelled Portner.

In the 1870 Chickasaw county, MS census, In the 1870 Chickasaw county, MS census, John and Amanda are listed with their first 3 children: Nathan, Allie and Lena. Also listed in their household is John H. Steward, age 8. No relationship is given. Who was John H. Steward?

Deed Book 30, 9 Feb 1806, Edgefield, SC
Deed Book 30, 9 Feb 1811, Edgefield, SC
page 301: Indenture from John Fortner to Nathan Fortner. $30 and 150 acres.

There must be some relationship between John and Nathan if they knew each other well enough to lend money.

10 June 1856, Alabama Land Patent #37972: William Banks, Nancy Fortner, and Nathan Fortner are all listed.

1790 Edgefield, SC
Page 511--James Fortner (over 16), Thomas Fortner (over 16), Nancy Fortner (2 males over 16, 1 under 16) and John Fortner (over 16). Nathan could be living with Nancy

1800 Edgefield, SC
Thomas Fortner (page 184--same page as Nathan) -- 1 male under 10, 1 male 26-45 (Thomas), 2 females under 10, 1 female 16-26, 2 females 26-45.
John Fortner is listed on page 183 -- 3 males under 10, 1 male 26-45 (John), 2 females under 10, 1 female 16-26.
Thomas and Nathan are living next door to one another.

1810 Edgefield, SC
page 94--Benjamin Fortner
page 96--William Fortner
page 98--Gilbert Faulkner
page 101--Nathan Fortner and Reuben Carpenter, husband of Nathan's daughter, Sarah Letha.

1820 Edgefield, SC
page 24--John Fortner and James Fortner--both are over 45 years of age.

1830 Edgefield, SC
Willis Fortner, age 30-39
James Fortner, age 50-59
John Fortner, age 30-40
Mary Stewart, age 50-59, living right next door to John Fortner.
Could Mary be related to Mildred?

In Nathan's last will and testament he leaves land on the Savannah River and Catfish Creek to his son Ansel. From this last will and testament we read, "beginning at oak +3 on side of river, running eastwardly, so as to run midway between the springs, and to pass thirty feet south of the dwelling house, and so on to the line dividing said tract from James Tomkins land, there on said land N28 W to small gum +5, then on land belonging to the estate of John Bussey S45 W 43 ch to River then down said river to beginning oak +3."

Recorded 1st Jany 1829--so the John Bussey here in this document died before 1829.
Pamela Bussey married Ansel Fortner, son of Nathan.

1820 Edgefield South Carolina census
James Tomkins, page 20
John Bussey, page 42
Nathan Fortner, page 58
Leroy Taylor, page 58
James Hicks, page 58

This is witnessed by Leroy Taylor and Isaac Fortner.

To Isaac, Nathan gives land described: "beginning at oak +3 on side of river, running thence eastwardly so as to run midway between the two springs and to pass thirty feet south of the dwelling house and so on to the line dividing said tract from James Tomkins land, thence on said land S28 E to stake, thence on lands of estate of James M. Hicks S72 W to river, then up said river to the beginning oak +3."

Witnessed by Ansel Fortner and Leroy Taylor.

1830 Edgefield South Carolina census
Leroy Taylor, page 6
James Tomkins, page 10

We know his wife is named Margaret. "I, Thomas H. Nixon, one of the justices of the quorum of said District, do hereby Certify unto all whom it may concern that Margaret Faulkner, the wife of the within named Nathan Faulkner did this day appear before me,"

The 1830 Edgefield South Carolina census shows:
Joseph Robertson, page 6, age 20-30
William Robertson, page 6, age 40-50
George Robertson, page 6, age 15-20
Sanford Robertson, page 30-40

Margaret would have been 25 years old in 1830. This is not proof that Margaret's maiden name was Robertson, but there is a Sanford Robertson living in Mississippi near where Nathan and Margaret are living.

In 1830, we find Nathan living in St. Clair county, Alabama. His name is spelled Authan Fertner.

From 7500 Marriages from the 96th and Abbeville Districts, South Carolina, 1774-1890, compiled by Larry E. Pursley:

J. W. Faulkner married Sallie C. Cox.
John Faulkner married Molly McDonald. (From Abbeville County Probate Court Records-1825)
John Faulkner married Mary Spencer. (From Abbeville County Probate Court Records-1839)

From Edgefield Marriage Records, Carlee T. McClendon:

Amanda Faulkner, daughter of A. R. Faulkner, married G. W. Durst on 21 Sep 1851. Marriage performed by Rev. John Trapp.

Assenith Faulkner married Densley Whatley on 2 Mar 1856. Marriage performed by A. Hollingsworth, Esq.

Blount county, Alabama Earliest Marriages, 1820-1838, compiled and published by Juanita Cato Askew:

Lucinda Fortner married Andrew Allred on 6 Aug 1833.

Samuel Fortner married Polly Allred on 3 Jan 1833.

Squire Fortner married Statia Prather on 16 Feb 1832.

South Carolina Marriages, 1709-1913:

Sidney Fortner married Danill Williamson on 9 Jan 1784 at St. John Lutheran, Charleston, South Carolina.

John Fawkner married Anne Bint on 18 Mar 1745 at St. Philip, Charleston, South Carolina.

The Heritage of Surry County, NC, Vol I, published 1983 by the Surry County Genealogical Association:

West Mosley (1807-1854), son of Martha East and Henry Mosley married Melinda Fortner, daughter of Millie Harris and James Fortner, on 27 Nov 1831.

Frost Snow, Jr. came to from Virginia to Surry county, NC in 1769. He married Elizabeh Faulkner/Fortner.

Joseph Benjamin Sykes, II (27 Mar 1850-30 May 1937) married Mary Fortner (8 April 1838-22 Nov 1890). Mary was the widow of Mr. Thorpe.

Thomas Daniel Callaway (1877-1961) married Laura Faulkner (1877-1966) in 1896.

Romulus Samuel Folger (1903-1976) married Mary Embrey Faulkner.

Mary Slawter/Slaughter, daughter of Edna E. Smith and J. N. Slawter married Ira Faulkner.

Bessie M. Simpson Voss was the daughter of Mary Alice Faulkner and Banner Simpson.

Pearl Belle Forkner, daughter of Sallie Ann and Joseph Robert Forkner married John William Beasley (1889-1959) in 1910.

Robert Forkner was a Railway Agent in Ararat, NC.

William Abner Sutphin (1863-1932) owned a large tract of land on both sides of Falkner Creek.

Update: Since this was first posted, I have researched the family of Mildred Stewart (1775-1820) of Darlington county, South Carolina and I have determined that she was not married to Nathan. Her husband was James Powell (1780-1834). Their children were Sarah b. 1807, Mary Ann b. 1808, Absalom b. 1811, Martha b. 1813, Catherine b. 1815, and Margaret b. 1820. Mildred must have died in childbirth.

For years now, we have taken it for granted that Mildred Stewart (1775-1820) was the first wife of Nathan Fortner. It is said that Mildred Stewart's parents are John Stewart and Susannah Fulkerson. Here's something on the Stewart family that my cousin sent to me.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jamesstewart&id=I00145

This John Stewart was born in Delaware in 1735 and Susannah Fulkerson was the widow of Thomas Bledsoe. John Stewart is such a common name that I believe we may be looking at two different men, both of whom are named John Stewart.
The rootsweb John Stewart is the son of Samuel.

The John Stewart I have is born in 1738 in North Carolina and is the son of James Stewart. Perhaps Susannah Fulkerson is not the correct wife for John Stewart born 1738. Children of John born 1738 in NC are: John, Jr. (1762-1842), James (1763-?), Charles (abt 1770-?), Elizabeth (1765-1859), Robert (abt 1774-Jan 1819), Mildred (1775-1820). It is said that this family moved to Darlington, SC. Mildred is said to have died in Darlington. John, the father, also died in Darlington, SC.

I have found a family in the 1810 Darlington, SC census that seems to be this family.

page 3, John Stewart, Jr.
page 4, Shadrach Stewart
page 5, John Stewart and Robert Stewart
page 7, John Stewart, Sr.
page 8, James Stewart
page 9, Charles Stewart and Silas Stewart
page 10, Elias Stewart
page 14, Adam Stewart

1820 Darlington, SC census
page 4, Charles Stewart, John Stewart, Jr., Elizabeth Stewart, Silas Stewart, Sarah Stewart, John Stewart, Sr.
Since John, Sr. is in the 1820 census, it looks as if we have the wrong date for his death. I think this is more proof that we have confused these two men.

One question I have is: why was Mildred, if she was Nathan's wife, in Darlington with her parents when she died instead of in Edgefield with Nathan and her children. The only thing I can think of is that perhaps she was very sick for a long time and was no longer able to take care of herself or the children so she went home to be taken care of by her parents.

Another question is: in the 1870 census, Amanda Fortner, daughter of Nathan, Jr., is married to John Harrison. John Stewart, age 8, is living with them. Was John a relative of Mildred?

One thing we do know for sure: Margaret Robertson is not the mother of all of Nathan's children. Margaret was born in 1805 in Georgia. She could not have been the mother of Allen, born 1799; Sarah, born 1800; Isaac, born 1801; Avey, born 1802; Ansel, born 1805; Nicey, born 1810; Elizabeth, born 1811; Thomas, born 1812; Mary, born 1815 or Nathan, Jr., born 1817. In 1817, Margaret would have been 12 years old.

As usual, I have more questions than answers. I'm not sure Mildred is Nathan's wife, but then again, I'm not sure she isn't. I will keep things as they are for now until I learn for sure whether this is right or wrong.

In doing research on Nathan, I have found several people who appear more than once.

Robertson Family:

1. Sanford Robertson--Sanford is on the 1830 Edgefield county census, page 8. 1 male under 5, 1 male 5-9, 1 male 10-14, 1 male 30-39, 1 female under 5, 1 female 5-9, 1 female 15-19, 1 female 40-49. Sanford would have been born 1791-1800. Gilbert Fortner and R. Carpenter are on the same page. George Robertson, William Robertson, and Joseph Robertson are on the previous page.
Sanford Robertson has land right next to Nathan Fortner in Pontotoc county, MS.

2. William Robertson--William is on the 1830 Edgefield county census, page 6. 1 male 15-19, 2 females under 5, 1 female 20-29. William would have been born 1811-1815. Gilbert Fortner, R Carpenter, and Sanford Robertson are on the next page.

3. Sarah (Cartledge) Robertson, widow of George Robertson
George Robertson is on the 1830 Edgefield county census, page 8. 1 male 15-19, 2 females under 5, 1 female 20-29. George would have been born 1811-1815. William Robertson and Joseph Robertson are on the same page. Gilbert Fortner, R. Carpenter, and Sanford Robertson are on the next page.

4. Hardy Robertson
5. John Robertson

6. Joseph Robertson--Joseph is on the 1830 Edgefield county census, page 6. 1 male under 5, 2 males 10-14, 1 male 15-19, 1 female under 5, 1 female 5-9, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 30-39. Joseph would have been born 1811-1815. George Robertson and William Robertson are on the same page. Sanford Robertson, R. Carpenter, and Gilbert Fortner are on the next page.

7. James Robertson is in the 1850 Chickasaw county census. James, age 75, born in VA; Susan, age 55, born in SC; Elizabeth, age 27, born in SC; Sarah, age 18, born in GA; Caroline, age 14, born in AL. Clement Jennings is living with this family. This is James Robertson 1774-1852, the son of Drury Robertson 1751-1822 and Nancy Stafford 1755-1785. James is the brother of Sanford Robertson 1785-1856. This family can be found on FamilySearch.org.

It looks like George Robertson, William Robertson, and Joseph Robertson are all brothers since they are about the same age.

Jennings Family:
1. Thomas Jennings
2. Joseph Jennings

Still Family:
1. Bartholomew Still
2. James Still

Fortner Family:

1. Gilbert Fortner--Gilbert is in the 1830 Edgefield census on page 8. There is 1 male age 10-14, 1 male age 15-19, 1 male age 60-69, and 1 female age 30-39. Gilbert would have been born 1761-1770. Nathan was born in 1770, so Gilbert could be his older brother. On the same page is R. Carpenter (probably Reuben), Sanford Robertson. On page 7 is George Robertson, William Robertson, and Joseph Robertson.
Gilbert Forkner has a plat for 207 acres on Rocky Creek, Edgefield, South Carolina. Also mentioned are the Savannah River and Turkey Creek.
Gilbert Forkner has a plat for 296 acres on Wagoners branch, Edgefield, South Carolina, Cuffytown Creek, Horsepen Creek, Savannah River, Stevens Creek.

2. John Fortner--John is listed in 1845 and 1850 Mississippi State Census. His name is spelled Foulkner.
3. Thomas Fortner

4. Drury Fortner, Sr. (Family Search ID #GMWC-N6T) born 1725 Bertie, NC d. 1788 Edgefield, SC was the son of John Elias Fort II (Family Search ID #LHFF-17M) 1702-1746 and his wife Mary. His child was William Fortner (Family Search ID #LB9S-CDZ) born 1767 Edgefield, SC and died 1841 in North Carolina. William is the right age to be Nathan's brother.

Bussey Family
1. John Bussey

Morgan Family:
1. E Morgan
2. Drury Morgan

William Tommson

Leroy Taylor

Thomas Price

Benjamin E. Curry

Richard Parks

Jesse Pitts

I have also found several places that appear more than once.

1. Red Oak Grove Church--I wonder if Nathan was a member here.

2. Catfish Creek--I think Nathan had land here.

3. Clouds Creek--Benjamin Forkner has a plat for 200 acres on Clouds Creek, Edgefield, South Carolina, surveyed by John Abney 29 July 1803. Jacob Fortner, SC Plat for state land grants dated 15 October 1785. James Fortner, SC Plat for state land grants dated 1799, 1800, 1801, 1820, 1839, 1864. John Fortner, SC Plat for state land grants dated 1796, 1802, 1824. Thomas Fortner, SC Plat for state land grants dated 23 January 1797.

4. Savannah River--I think this is where Nathan's land was located. 20 May 1839 James Fortner has a SC Plat for state land grant here.

5. Rocky Creek, Savannah River, Turkey Creek--Gilbert Forkner had 207 acres here. Plat dated 28 September 1814. William Fortner, SC Plat for state land grants dated 5 February 1814, 8 September 1819, 1833.

6. Wagoners branch, Stevens Creek, Cuffytown Creek, Horsepen Creek, Savannah River--Gilbert Forkner had 296 acres here. Plat dated 13 April 1814.

7. Turkey Creek--James Fortner,SC Plat for state land grants dated 19 September 1799, Little Stephens Creek, Edgefield; 16 December 1800 Ephraim Branch, Savannah River, Sleepy Creek, Stevens Creek, Turkey Creek; 5 June 1801 and 1 June 1820 Savannah River, Sleepy Creek, Turkey Creek.

8. Saluda River--John Fortner SC Plat for state land grants, Dry Creek, Mine Creek, 96th District, Saluda River and 13 August 1802 Dry Creek, Edgefield, Little Saluda River.