The Unknown Ancestor

Found among my grandmother's things were a number of old photos. Among them were snapshots of the grandchildren, mixed in with school photos from all of us kids. Some of her own children as well. The normal mixed bag that just about anyone's grandma has tucked away in a top dresser drawer.

"The Top Dresser Drawer" File.

The musty smell of the mixed lot of photos tells the story.

They were kept for awhile. For years, they were treasured.

Among the old photos were some that were especially worn and tattered. All were cherished, despite their condition.

There is one that I keep returning to, pulling it back out, for yet another close look.

I have scanned them all into my computer, putting them in a special folder, marked "grandma's pics". My very own version of the "Top Dresser Drawer" file.

The picture is an old tin type. I looked at it in the bright sunlight, several times, scanning every inch of it.

Searching for a name. An initial. Some indication as to the identity of this man in the picture.

He sits in what appears to be a straight backed chair. Beside a table with a curtain and window behind him. This could be a back drop of a photography studio, hard to tell.

He wears a wide brimmed hat. His hands are placed somewhat carefully on his legs, only a hint of a smile, if any at all. He has determined look, as he gazes out from under dark brows. A light colored pocket appears to have been added to his jacket. He wears a vest as well.

This man is important. He figures into my family tree and meant enough to my Grandmother to be placed with the other cherished photographs in the Grandma File.

Just who he is haunts me. He may be an ancestor I have already located. I may already know him pretty well. I may have visited him and just not know it. But the not knowing is unsettling to the 'Graveyard Rabbit' I have become. This just makes my nose twitch a little..giggle.

Grandma did not know for certain this man's identity or she would have marked it somehow.

I feel like he is from her side of the family, why I think that I am not totally sure. Maybe something she told me long ago?

He has been taken out and looked at so often that I feel like I know him.

He is now so familar to me.
He sits above me, on the desk and peers down at me..taunting me somehow.

"You keep looking, girl." " You can find out who I am, if you keep trying".

Maybe one day I will. Sure won't quit trying.


If this picture is familiar to you, please contact me.

Meanwhile he will sit here and maybe tell me something with his piercing gaze..
Well, I can hope can't I? Grin.

John Fewell ~ Fifth Great Grandfather

John Fewell, Sr. ~ Fifth Great Grandfather
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John Fewell owned extensive lands and planted on a large scale.

He is buried in Ebenezer Church Cemetery, Rock Hill, South Carolina .

Court of Equity case 232, Bill for Partition.

Martha Fewell had 10 children in 1847.

The Fewell Family came to America from Wales in about the year 1700.

They had just started the manufacture of iron in this country and a number of Scotch and Welch iron workers came over to show them how it was done.

The Fewell's were a part of this group.

John and William were the brothers that first came over, and they were probably joined by others later.

William settled in Virginia and John settled in Pennsylvania. Several of their descendants served in the Revolutionary Army , among who were Nathaniel Fewell, Edward Fewell and John Fewell, Jr.

John Fewell, Jr. ~ Fourth Great Grandfather ~ Revolutionary Soldier
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John Fewell, Jr. rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel and was cited for bravery at Yorktown. He was at one time attached to General Washington's staff.
The Fewell's migrated to the area of York County S.C. (known then as Indian Lands) around the year 1800. The Census of 1790 does not list anyone by the name of Fewell living here. It does, however, list Thomas Fewell living in the Wilmington District of New Hanover County, North Carolina.
The first mention of the name in the York County Courthouse records is in the Will of Laughlin Burns , which was probated on Oct. 1, 1804, in which he leaves certain properties to his daughter, Patsey Fewell. Not know is whether this is 'Patsey Burns Fewell' or 'Patsey Fewell'. No other record of her is found.
There were three Fewells (heads of families) living in what is now known as York County about this time-
John Fewell, William Fewell and Edmund Fewell. The probability is that they all moved to S.C. from Virginia , but whether these three were brothers or just kinsmen, has not been determined.
The earliest record of land transfers in the York County Courthouse shows that Edmund Fewell bought 50 acres of land on Rocky Allison Creek on Sept. 1, 1808, from Mosa Ferguson, and it mentions that this tract of land adjoins the tract of land belonging to John Fewell. John Fewell's land had evidently been purchased prior to this time, but no record has been found.
The first transfer on record for John Fewell was a purchase of 120 acres on Allison Creek from William Hogge on December 7, 1822. The first transfer on record for William Fewell was a purchase of 121 1/2 acres on Fishing Creek from Bennet Highfill on September 23, 1817 and later of 308 acres on Fishing Creek from J. M. Foster .
These three were all living in this Allison Creek area and owned land here at that time. Assuming that they lived on these tracts of land, John and Edmund lived side by side on Allison Creek joining the property of Col. William Hill who operated the famous Hill's Iron Works. William lived on Fishing Creek.
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The following is the Last Will and Testament of John Fewell:
Will Of John Fewell
State of South Carolina
York County District
In the name of God Amen.
I, John Fewell, Planter of the State and District aforesaid, being of sound and disposing memory, but not knowing how soon I may depart this life, do make and ordain, this my last will and testament, in manner and form, following-
First. I direct that my body be decently interred without unnecessary form or expense and that all of my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.
Second. Having heretofore given to each of my children who have married a certain amount of property which I intended to be equal to the amount received by each of her brothers and sisters, one negro called , Matilda and one called Theressa, also one horse (her choice of my stock) saddle and bridle --Two cows--One bed and furniture --One table and one bureau -- The above property to be hers during her natural life , and at her decease, to be equally divided among her brothers and sisters, of their legal heirs, in the same manner and on the same terms, as my other property, hereinafter to be divided and provided for --also whatever else she may receive to be distributed among the same terms.
Third. I direct that as soon after my decease , as convenient an equal distribution of all my other property, take place, and that my sons, Alexander-- Robert and Stanly and my daughters, Betsey Nichols, Rachel Millinter, Amanda Fewell, Lavinia Barron, Arrabella May and Matilda Stedman -- and my daughter in law Nancy Fewell (widow of my son John) share alike in the above distribution. Item my will further is, that the distributive share falling to my son Robert and my daughters Betsey and Rachel at their decease, descend to their children and that my Executor to be hereinafter named shall take measures to ensure the principal to the children of the above named Legatees and that the above named Robert , Betsey, and Rachel shall have the use of the property bequeathed or the legal interest upon the same during their natural lives.
Item. I hereby confirm and make over to the use of my son Robert, the land on which he now lives, during his life, and in no case can be taken by debt and at his decease to descend to his lawful heirs.
Finally.
I hereby constitute and ordain my son Alexander Fewell, Executor of this my last will and Testament and should any dispute arise in the matter or manner about my legacy herein bequeathed between any Legatee or Legatees, or Executor, or any of the parties, then, they are to refer to this will with the matter to dispute to three disinterested persons to be chosen by the parties and the disputants are to abide the decision of the persons so chose, upon pain having their distributive share taken from them as my will is that there shall be no suit instituted in any court of Law or Equity whatsoever about any matter contained in this will.
Signed , sealed and delivered in presence of--
This 20 Jany 1844.
A. Wyte
A.T. Fewell
G.C. Barron
John Sturgis
Probated November 7, 1845
Will Book "3" Page 136
Case No. 5
File No. 1294
There was an article written about John Fewell in the July 1972 issue of the South Carolina Historical Magazine .
　
John Fewell, Jr. married Martha "Patsy" Burns.

These were my 4th Great Grandparents.
They had ten children.
One of which, was Elizabeth "Betsy" Fewell.

Elizabeth "Betsy" Fewell married Matthew Nichols. My 3rd Great Grandparents.


They had at least nine children. One of which was Mary Nichols.

Mary Nichols married Noah Tyre McKinsey. They were my 2nd Great Grandparents.


They had at least 12 children. The tenth child born of this union was Robert Samuel Parrott, Sr.


Robert Samuel Parrott was my great grandfather.


Robert Samuel Parrott married Nannie Barber and had son, Wilburn Larry Parrott.

My Grandfather.
　
　

Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Cemetery ~

John Fewell, Jr. was born in Virginia in the year 1769.

His parents were John Fewell and wife Sarah.

John and Sarah were my 5th Great Grandparents.

John Fewell, Jr.

married

Martha "Patsy" Burns

and they had ten children.
Six girls and four boys.

One of their boys was, Andrew Fewell, a brother to our Elizabeth "Betsy" Fewell.

This makes him our 3rd Great Grand Uncle.

He married Margaret Barron and died April 04, 1882.

There are a great many Barron's here in this cemetery.

John and Martha Fewell's daughter was Elizabeth "Betsy" Fewell.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Fewell was born in

York County, South Carolina, in 1797.

She grew up and married Matthew Nichols.

Matthew was the son of James Nichols and Jane Amberson.

They married and became the parents of at least nine children.
One of these was a daughter named Mary.

Mary Nichols.

Mary married Noah Tyre McKinsey Parrott and so, became the parents of our Robert Samuel Parrott, Sr.

John Fewell and wife, Martha Patsy Burns Fewell are both buried at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

John Fewell

and

Martha Patsy Burns

are

buried side-

by-side.

My 4th Great Grands.

There are a number of Fewell family plots, where the generations of descendants are buried here.

Also buried there is Jane Amberson Nichols.

I went to Ebenezer in search of the Fewell’s and the Amberson’s.

Jane Amberson was the mother of Matthew. My 4th great grandmother.


James Nichols' , (father of Matthew) burial location, is of now, unknown.

Apparently there was a survey done of the old cemetery, back in the 1930’s. The only Amberson with a headstone was William. His headstone is pictured below:

William was a brother to our Jane Amberson. He was our 4th Great Grand Uncle.

William Hamilton Amberson~

We went down to

South Carolina, one

bright, sunny day

to see Ebenezer

and I was in love

with the old cemetery

at first site.

Something about an

old cemetery with

beautiful

old markers.

Hallowed ground.

We made our way

down each row and

read the names.

Some were very easily read

while others are

simply, lost to time.


There are large expanses of the cemetery with, sadly,

no markers at all, and some field stones are scattered about.

Large cement crypts , large boxes that sit over a grave are pushed off to the side under trees.

At the base of one tree there is a marker being swallowed up by vines. Age has taken it’s toll on this cemetery, but I feel certain that my Amberson family are here.

Jane Amberson's father, James Matthew Amberson, Sr. is thought to be buried here, along with her mother, Mary Cooper Kelsey.

Jane Amberson’s grandfather was Francis Amberson. Francis was born in the year 1720. He married a young lady by the name of Martha Powell.


Francis was born, probably, in England. He immigrated to Pennsylvania and settled an area in Franklin County. There are records where he made an improvement to his land, most likely a home or building in the year of 1763. The lands he owned was called Amberson Valley and it is still called that today.

Francis and Martha Powell Amberson are my 6th Great Grandparents.

I recently found more info about Francis and that will be coming soon.!



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Ebenezer's History

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen and called it Ebenezer(the Rock of Help), saying "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us".(1 Samuel 7:12)

The particulars

concerning the

organization of

Ebenezer Church

are not known.

However, it was certainly in existence in the year 1785 (and possibly before). Originally called Indian Land, Ebenezer's first known pastor was the Rev. John Simpson. The first statistical report was sent to the Presbytery in 1808 when the church reported 59 on the roll.

Four buildings have served Ebenezer church. The first log structure was located somewhere in front of the present building across the road. The second structure, constructed in 1826, was a wooden frame building which stood to the left of the present sanctuary and faces what was then the road to India Hook. It was used until 1890, when a brick sanctuary was constructed. This building was used until 1955 when the current brick sanctuary was dedicated.

The cemetery adjacent to the church has been used as a community burial ground since the time of the first settlement. The oldest marked grave is that of Stephen McCorkle who died on September 22, 1790 at the age of 55. Ebenezer Memorial Association was organized in 1945 for the purpose of caring for the church and cemetery grounds.

If you are ever down in Rock Hill, I encourage you to stop and visit. Take a nice stroll among the family....