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State of North Carolina
Richmond County
I Darby Swinney-- }In the name of God amen Considering the uncertainty of this mortal Life also Being weak in body but at the same time being of Sound and perfect mind blessed be God for the same do make And publish this my last will and testament In the Manner and form following that is to say...I give and bequeath unto my grand son Siras Swinney a Negro boy by the name of Peter but to the use of his father During his natural life. I give and bequeath unto my grand son Elisha Pate a Negro boy by the name of Dick but first to the use of his Father and Mother during their natural lives. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Cole a Negro girl by the name of Lucey. I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Easter Pate the Wife of Thomas Pate a Negro woman by the name of Vilet. I give unto my old Negro woman Cate her freedom during Her natural life and if Cate should become helpless those Legatees who are in possession of her children and grandchildren shall maintain her. All my stock of cattle horses and hogs and sheep plantation tools household and kitchen furniture to be got up to be sold at the highest bider and the money to be eaquilly divided between Samuel Pate, Jacob Mangram, Mary Betha, Elizabeth Mathason, Sarah Graves, Martha Ridgel, James Cole and Stephen Pate. I hereby appoint Executors of this my last will and testament and hereby Revoking all former wills made by me. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 18 day October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty. Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Darby Swinney to be his last will and testament. In presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator
Tes Samuel Goodwin
D Swinney
Nathaniel Gibson
Alfred Bennett
The children of Darby Henegan Sweeney, Esq. (c. 1735/40--1820) of Richmond County, N.C. were, according to his will and other sources:
1. dau. Sweeney m. Jacob Mangrum (Chesterfield Co., SC); she died early and Mangrum had a second family by a Gibson lady.
2. Mary Sweeney (1756--1824) m. John Bethea (1750--1812) of Marion Dist.
3. Martha Sweeney m. Joel Ridgell. Most of his children were likely hers but he did remarry to Frances Beckwith. After his death she (Frances) married a man her own age, Philip Pearce Bethea. This family lived in Marion Dist.
4. dau. Sweeney (Esther?, c. 1765--1810/20) m. Samuel Pate (c. 1760--1850) of Richmond Co., NC
5. Honour Sweeney (c. 1775-1841) m. Stephen Pate (c. 1760/65--1839) To Carroll Co., TN.
6. Sarah Sweeney (d. c. 1843) m. Thomas Greaves/Graves of Marion, later Marlboro Dist.
7. Hannah Sweeney m. James Cole Tn.
8. John Sweeney, JP, of Marion Dist., SC. Could he be the one who moved out to Pike Co., AL? Records do show that he was still in S.C. as late as 1820. He possibly married a sister of Stephen and Samuel Pate, since he named a son Cyrus Pate Sweeney. This is his only certain child, although I think records do show that he had a son named John, brother to Cyrus. He is also likely the father of Darby H. Sweeney who lived in Chesterfield Co., SC in 1820 leaving a widow Martha and several children. Perhaps another son was the James Sweeney of Lincoln Co., TN, or Alfred Sweeney of Richmond Co., NC.
9. Darby H. Sweeney, Jr. of Marion Dist., SC m. Elizabeth b. c. 1755/65 d. 1815. His widow remarried to John Mattheson. Children were John Swinney, Mary Swinney, and Sally Swinney according to Marion County Deeds. DB N/117--Ezekiel Hyatt of South Carolina to Darby Hennegan of North Carolina, planter, 28 Oct 1785, for 100 pounds, 125 acres, ES of Reedy Creek, including part of the Swamp, and part of improvements and 50 acres granted by William Henry Littleton to Alexander Seyfrut, 1 Aug 1758, Drigger's line. w/ Joel Ridgel, Martha (X) Ridgel.
DB C/214--Thomas Brown of Georgetown Dist., SC, to Darby Hennegan, Jur., of Richmond Co., NC, 2 Jan 1789, 30 pounds, 100 acres, NE of Big Reedy Creek, joining Henegan's lower line to a tract Henegan bought of Ezekiel Hiett, in the presence of Joel Redgill, Jesse Smith and John Henegan. Granted Goodman Bethea, 5 Mar 1787. w/ John Swiney Hennagan, Samuel Pate, John Powers.
DB N/224, John Swinney of Marion to Francis Britton of Marlboro, 1 Jan 1817, $100 for 100 acres, Robert Garraway's line, Joel Ridgell's Mill Pond, granted to Swinney and Thos. Graves. w/ Zeno Worth, Saml Townsend. DB C/67--Barnabus and Lucreshia (X) Henegan of Marion to William Thomas, 29 Mar 1804, $800,1800 acres--part of a tract granted Archibald Kerby for 6,690, 5 Dec 1795 on Catfish Swamp. w/Obed (X) Cooke, John Hennigan.
DB D/39, Darby and Drusilla (X) Henagan of Marion, 3 Nov 1803, to John Bethea, for 10 pounds, 100 acres, part of land granted Goodman Bethea who sold to Stephen Gibson who sold to Darby Henegan, on the East side of White Pond, joining Bethea, Stephen Gibson, George Hargraves. w/ Darby Sweney, John McRae.
? Apr 1810, Darby Henagin of Marlboro (Barnabus' son?) to Hopkin Henderson of Marion, $190, 100 acres bound on all sides by vacant land at the time of survey. originally granted to Elizabeth Parker (1785), SS of the Little Pee Dee on Sweet's Swamp, on condition they shall not erect a dam, mill or machine to cover any part by water. w/ John Conner, James Stubbs (Marlb. DB GG/23) This is followed on pages 24-25, by Henagan's purchase of these 100 acres from Elizabeth Parker, 31 Jul 1806, for $180. w/ Isac Brigman, James McArthur.
Marlb. DB AA/68--Barnabus & Luchracey (X) Henagan to Lachlan McLern, for 100 pounds sterling, County of Marlboro, District of Cheraw, SE of Little Pee Dee, plantation where Henegan now lives, except 1/8 acre for a graveyard. Granted to Henagan by William Bute, Esqur., 21 Apr 1774. w/ David Stewart, Daniel (H) Herring.
Marlb. DB AA/135--4 Mar 1787, Darby Henagan, Esq. of Richmond Co., NC to Henry Easterling, Sr. of Marlborough in Cheraw Dist, SC, for 71.10 on Ocean Pond, including the plantation where Kadar Keaton lives, originally granted to Darby by Charles Granville Montague, 28 (?) 1771, 150 acres. w/ Thomas Ammons, David Bethea, Wm. Conner.
Marlb. DB A-1/119--6 Jun 1777, Barnabus Henegan of St. David's Parish, of Craven Co., NC to David Stuart, for 85 pounds, 83 acres part of a tract of 250 acres granted to Matthew Whitefield, then to Henagan by transference, bordering Stewart. w/ Thomas Conner, Lewis Conner, Willis Conner. Marlb. DB F/ 93--30 Apr 1789--Darby Henagan, Esq. of Richmond Co., NC to Jesse Bethea of Marlborough Dist., SC, 50 pounds, 400 acres on Beaverdam, granted by William Bull, Esq. to Darby, 8 Jul 1774. w/ Jesse Bethea, Jr. MARION COUNTY, SC...
DB B/41--Archibald Kirby to Barnabus Henegan, 12 FEb 1801, 800 acres, part of a 6,600 acre grant, 5 Dec 1795, NE side of Catfish Swamp, Jordan Gibson's corner, Nathaniel Gibson's corner, Sandy Island, Wm. Jackson. Also part of a tract granted Walter Owens, 200 acres on Catfish Swamp. w/ Wm. Seale, John Hanagan.
DB C/97--Barnabus Henegan of Marion to Darby Henegan of Marion, 3 Aug 1804, for $1,000, 1800 acres in four tracts, (1) grant to Henagan, 5 Mar 1787 (2) grant of 150 acres, 7 Dec 1789, (3) part of about a 1,000 acre grant, (4) part of a big survey to Goodman Bethea, transferred from Bethea to Henegan, SS of Little Pee Dee, Sweet's Swamp, part of Donaho Bay, bordering John Bethea's land and Archibald Thompson, John McLermon's, Daniel McLususts, Neil McHanohan, Geo. Hargraves, David Cole's and Jesse Bethea, Jr. w/ Neil McLaurin, Katherin McLaurin.
DB M/3--John Swinney of Pike Co., AL to Cyrus P Swinney of same, I John Swinney appoint my son Cyrus P. Swinney of Pike Co.,AL and James Easterling of Marion Dist., my attorneys to sell, rent or lease all my land in Marion Dist., SC, 30 Aug 1826. Attested before George B. Augustus, CCC of Pike Co. Ala.
DB M/223--Cyrus P. Swinney to James and Dorcas Jackson, 100 acres, $100, East side of Big Reedy Creek, bound by James Easterling (North), Hugh McCall (N and NW), Estate of Philip Murchison (W), Timothy Rogers (S and E,) Road to Marion Courthouse, part of a tract granted Isaac Perkins. To be divided between the Jacksons as follows--west part to James Jackson, middle part to Dorcas Jackson, rest to James. C.P. Swinney acting as agent to John.
DB N/282--20 Nov 1826, Cyrus P. Swinney to Timothy Rogers, for $300, 350 acres East side of Big Reedy Creek, part of a tract granted to John Swinney, most western prong at the head of Mill branch, adj. John Bethea, agreed upon line betw. John Swinney and Thomas Graves, line between Jno. Swinney and Reuben Jackson, Philip Murchison, Isaac Driggers, Farquhar Bethune. w/ John Bethea, Daniel McInnis.
DB G/94--John Swinney of Marion to Robert Garroway, 2 May 1818, for 30 pounds, 100 acres, 2 May 1818, Big Grassy Bay, granted to John Swinney and Thomas Greaves, 7 Aug 1792, adj. Richard Moy, Jacob Blackwell, Daniel McColl, old Muster Path, head of a branch. w/ Benjamin Bridges, Jacob (X) Blackwell.
DB F/139, Darby Henegan of Marion to Murdock Murchinson, 18 Dec 1811, for $1500, 1800 acres in various tracts as per the deed from Barnabus Henegan above. w/ ?, Thos. Harllee.
And from the Laws of North Carolina Chapter CXXVI many names are in this chapter and most are name changes.. But listed are...Alfred Burnett and Charlotte Burnett of Richmond County, natural born children of Darby Swinney , be altered to the name of Alfred Swinney and Charlotte Swinney...
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Will of Darby Swinney State of North Carolina Richmond County
I Darby Swinney-- In the name of God amen Considering the uncertainty of this mortal Life also Being weak in body but at the same time being of Sound and perfect mind blessed be God for the same do make And publish this my last will and testament In the Manner and form following that is to say...I give and bequeath unto my grand son Siras Swinney a Negro boy by the name of Peter but to the use of his father During his natural life. I give and bequeath unto my grand son Elisha Pate a Negro boy by the name of Dick but first to the use of his Father and Mother during their natural lives. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Cole a Negro girl by the name of Lucey. I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Easter Pate the Wife of Thomas Pate a Negro woman by the name of Vilet I give unto my old Negro woman Cate her freedom during Her natural life and if Cate should become helpless those Legatees who are in possession of her children and grandchildren shall maintain her. All my stock of cattle horses and hogs and sheep plantation tools household and kitchen furniture to be got up to be sold at the highest bider and the money to be eaquilly divided between Samuel Pate, Jacob Mangram, Mary Betha, Elizabeth Mathason, Sarah Graves, Martha Ridgel James Cole and Stephen Pate I hereby appoint Executors of this my last will and testament and hereby Revoking all former wills made by me. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 18 day October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Darby Swinney to be his last will and testament In presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator Tes Samuel Goodwin D Swinney Nathaniel Gibson Alfred Bennett
[Note: Most of the land that Swinney had before his death went to Alfred Bennett, since there is a deed which agrees to transfer this property to him, provided he cares for Darby and pays the taxes on his property in his old age. Alfred Bennett got an official name change to Alfred Swinney and moved to Georgia. He named one of his sons Darby. We think he was an illegitimate son of old Darby by a Bennett woman.]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Real Estate Transactions:
16 Mar 1751/2, Darby Hanegin enters 200 acres in Duplin County on Peacock Swamp, bordering Moses Fort; including his own improvements, "left off".
Duplin Co., DBk 2/p. 250 James Pace to Druly Fort, 31 Aug 1754, for 25 pounds, 113 acres, "being a place where the Swinneys formerly lived" Deed mentions Moses Fort. w/Arthur Blackman, Joseph Bryant, John Ward.
Duplin Co., DBk 2/299 Druly Forte to Matthew Carter (23 Aug 1755) for 15 pounds VA, 113 acres on Kill Swamp a Branch of Coheary, Mentions Moses Fort, Granted to James Pace by patent dated 13 Mar 1754. w/ Moses Smith, Robert Hutchinson, John Ward.
Mar 1761, Darby Hannigan entered 100 acres in New Hanover County on Waggamaw River and on Wolf Ridge, including the place where he lives. warrant dated 26 Mar 1761.
1762--Darby Henegan appears on the tax list of St. Philip's Parish in New Hanover County.
6 Feb 1764--(New Hanover Deebook E, p. 78) William Spear of Pitt Co., NC, to Darby Hannagan of New Hanover, for 20 pounds, 133 acres on the east side of Waggamaw River, granted to Spear, 27 Mar 1754. w/ Arthur and James Council.
1764--Brunswick County was formed from New Hanover. 20 Oct 1767, Derby Henagin enters 300 acres in Brunswick County on MarshSwamp a prong of Waccamaw known as the Honey Fields. This warrant was issued 22 Dec 1768 and the survey shows that the chain bearers for this grant were Matthew Sellers and William Adderson.
Brunswick Co DB A, p. 100. Darby Hannagan of Brunswick Co., to Edward Wingate of same, for 50 pounds, 133 acres on the east side of Waggamaw River, joining the River. land granted to William Speer and sold to Hannagan. (10 May 1769.) w/ George Hill, Needham Gause, Edward Wingate, Jr.
12 Jun 1770 (Brunswick Co., DB A, p. 109) Darby Hannagan of Brunswick Co, NC to John Ward of same, for 26 pounds, 300 acres on West side of Marsh Swamp, a branch of Waggamaw, known by the name of Honeyfields. w/ EdmundNugent, Humphrey Moody.
Anson Dbk K/34 22 Aug 1777, Joseph Bennett of Anson to William Woodle, planter for 10 pounds, 100 acres SW of Little Beaverdam Creek, between Joe's and Gum Swamp.